overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbȯrd 

1

: over the side of a ship or boat into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

3

: into discard : aside

Examples of overboard in a Sentence

He threw the fish overboard.

The boy fell overboard and almost drowned.

One of the sailors fell into the water, and someone shouted “Man overboard!”.

Recent Examples on the Web

Every good party has snacks, but there’s no need to go overboard here. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026

Officials suspected that Asher may have fallen overboard, The Astorian reported. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

Keeping cars this old in racing shape requires a level of dedication that would be overboard even for the most obsessed hotrodder. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 requires ships to integrate technology to capture or detect passengers who have fallen overboard. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing overboard

• go overboard
• wash overboard

Rhymes for overboard

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overlord
• paperboard
• plasterboard
• shuffleboard

Kids Definition

overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: over the side of a ship into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

go overboard for a new fad