overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

1

: an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed

2

: a state of heightened activity

going into rhetorical overdrive

Examples of overdrive in a Sentence

He put the car into overdrive.

His acting career is in overdrive.

The reporters went into overdrive to finish their stories on time.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the four-time world champion is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, news of his talks with Mercedes in the last two months for a potential move in 2026 put the rumor mill into overdrive. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025

When the lockdowns ended, automakers rushed to replenish supplies, pushing their suppliers into overdrive. —Andrea Pietrini, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

The singer sent fans into overdrive on Monday, after several social media posts appeared to point to Swift teasing her next era. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025

Both companies derive less than 10% of their revenue from North America, which means that Trump's new tariffs represent both a challenge and a substantial opportunity as the domestic demand picture shifts into overdrive. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overdrive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• revive
• survive
• dive
• drive

Kids Definition

overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

: a transmission gear in an automobile that allows the drive shaft to operate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft