overdraft

noun

over·​draft ˈō-vər-ˌdraft How to pronounce overdraft (audio)
1
: an act of overdrawing at a bank : the state of being overdrawn
also : the sum overdrawn
2

Examples of overdraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last month, the two organizations also said the CFPB's rollback of regulations on overdraft and credit card late fees, and the dismissal of enforcement cases would increase consumer costs by $18 billion. Douglas Gillison, USA Today, 30 July 2025 The banking industry strongly opposed the Biden rule, which would cap overdraft fees at just $5 for banks and financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets unless the institutions opt for a fee that merely covers their own costs or treat the overdraft payment as a loan. Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2025 At the very least, banks will offer more expensive overdraft protection. Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 As Lander has explained in interviews, the Citibank account targeted by DOGE only had $1 million in it as of the Feb. 11 reversal, but was attached to a large overdraft facility. Felix Salmon, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overdraft

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdraft was in 1812

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Cite this Entry

“Overdraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdraft. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

overdraft

noun
over·​draft ˈō-vər-ˌdraft How to pronounce overdraft (audio)
: an overdrawing of a bank account or the amount overdrawn

Legal Definition

overdraft

noun
over·​draft ˈō-vər-ˌdraft How to pronounce overdraft (audio)
1
: the act or result of drawing on a bank account for more than the balance
also : the amount exceeding the balance in an overdraft
2
: a loan or credit extended on a current account especially to established or institutional customers

More from Merriam-Webster on overdraft

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