override

1 of 2

verb

over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
overrode ˌō-vər-ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overridden ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overriding ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-

transitive verb

1
: to ride over or across : trample
overrode the thin line of defenders
2
: to ride (an animal, such as a horse) too much or too hard
3
a
: to prevail over : dominate
panic overrode everything elseMarcia Davenport
b
: to set aside : annul
override a veto
the rights of the individual were being flagrantly overriddenC. L. Jones
c
: to neutralize the action of (something, such as an automatic control)
You must enter a code to override the alarm.
4
: to extend or pass over
especially : overlap
Huge waves override the beach.

override

2 of 2

noun

over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˈō-və-
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
2
3
: a device or system used to override a control
4
: an act or an instance of overriding

Examples of override in a Sentence

Verb Congress overrode the President's veto. These new rules override the old ones. Don't let anger override common sense. You must enter a code to override the alarm. She overrode the default settings on her computer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This is about dads and daughters, and the ancient and protective dynamic between them that seems to override logic. Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 As long as Israel’s security needs remain unmet—as long as the Gaza Strip remains militarized and there continues to be terrorist infrastructure either above or below ground and attacks against Israeli territory persist—Israel will be compelled to maintain overriding security control. Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 Would this be ethical, or does the need for truth override my plan? Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The General Assembly passing the bill to allow fairness in sports and then overriding the governor's veto was the right decision to make. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Council members did not have enough votes to override his veto. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Congress overrides his veto but enforcement withers after 1877, when Reconstruction ends and Southern states and municipalities begin enacting Jim Crow laws to segregate citizens by race. Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 But as long as Gaza remains militarized and attacks against Israeli territory persist, Israel will be compelled to maintain overriding security control. Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 The bill would create federal protections for IVF access nationwide, overriding state limits. Janet Shamlian, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Twenty-four Republicans backed the override, with Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, serving as the sole GOP vote against it. Haley Bemiller, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 As with the digital ad tax, the paid leave mandate was enacted with a veto override vote passed by Maryland legislators. Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Scott raised objections to the alternative plan and ultimately vetoed it in November, leaving too little time for a veto override. Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024 If the override happens, the law takes effect after 90 days. Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2024 The governor last year pushed hard on a housing plan that eventually failed after it was panned in the city’s suburbs for provisions that would have set growth targets and sometimes let the state override local zoning decisions. Maysoon Khan, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2024 The 81-42 vote, which fell 3 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to advance the override, sends GOP lawmakers back to square one in their standoff with Kelly over taxes. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2024 The city’s pilot program allowed a 15-second override of the speed-checking technology. John Woolfolk, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024 The Republican-majority Senate is expected to take up its own override vote on Jan. 24. CBS News, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'override.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of override was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near override

Cite this Entry

“Override.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/override. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

override

verb
over·​ride
-ˈrīd
overrode
-ˈrōd
; overridden
-ˈrid-ᵊn
; overriding
-ˈrīd-iŋ
1
: to ride over or across : trample
2
: to ride a horse too much or too hard
3
a
: to take power away from : dominate
b
: annul sense 2
the congress overrode the president's veto

Legal Definition

override

1 of 2 transitive verb
over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
overrode -ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio) ; overridden -ˈrid-ᵊn How to pronounce override (audio) ; overriding
1
: to prevail or take precedence over
if, as is often the case, federal constitutional principles override state statutory or common lawH. P. Wilkins
2
: to set aside by virtue of superior authority
overrode the jury's sentencing recommendation
especially : annul sense 2
override a veto with the required majority

override

2 of 2 noun
over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates

called also override commission

2
3
: an act or instance of overriding
a legislative override
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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