overdraft

noun

over·​draft ˈō-vər-ˌdraft 

1

: an act of overdrawing at a bank : the state of being overdrawn

also : the sum overdrawn

2

: line of credit

Examples of overdraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the typical American’s overdraft bill (about $118 a year as of 2014, the last time it was thoroughly studied) is far less than the average annual credit-card interest payment (which clocks in at $1,657). —Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025

Overspending can lead to overdraft fees, required loans to compensate for the deficit, and possible ongoing financial hurdles. —Mary Luquette, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

The lovely customer service representative refunds me $210 in overdraft fees. —R29 Team, Refinery29, 8 Sep. 2025

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency designed in part by Warren as part of the Dodd-Frank financial reforms, finalized a rule in late 2024 that closed a loophole allowing banks to charge exorbitant overdraft fees. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overdraft

• allograft
• autograft
• autographed
• countershaft
• handicraft
• homograft
• hovercraft
• lithographed
• photographed
• rotorcraft
• telegraphed
• understaffed

Kids Definition

overdraft

noun

over·​draft ˈō-vər-ˌdraft 

: an overdrawing of a bank account or the amount overdrawn

Legal Definition

overdraft

noun

over·​draft ˈō-vər-ˌdraft 

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