give over

verb

gave over; given over; giving over; gives over

transitive verb

1
: cease
2
3
a
: to yield without restraint or control : abandon
gave themselves over to laughter
b
: to set apart for a particular purpose or use
4
archaic : to pronounce incurable

intransitive verb

British : to cease an activity : stop
told him to give over and let me aloneBrendan Behan

Examples of give over in a Sentence

his wife suggested that he give over working such long hours if it was making him so unhappy gave over his entire savings to an investor
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.
Not only is the kitchen fully on display but a separate alcove is given over to his highly technical lab, a play space dedicated to fermentation, aging, preserving and otherwise concocting. Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Fridays and Saturdays are given over to pleasure and partying, the boundaries between Kingas softening as the week winds down. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025 The $10,000 award, double last year’s amount, is given over two years, with plans to extend it to further offset education costs. Gloria Ngwa, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2025 The stage at the south end of Plaza de Cesar Chavez, which will be filled with blues and New Orleans-style music Saturday and Sunday, was on Friday night given over to artists who would appeal to younger crowds, like Kiefer and DJ Harrison. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for give over

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of give over was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Give over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20over. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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