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

These earned wage payday loan apps take $300 a year or more from people struggling to make ends meet, not counting the overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees that increase after people start using the apps. —Christopher Greenwood, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Yet in early July the bureau withdrew from a consent order that would have returned ninety-five million dollars in surprise overdraft fees to the military customers of Navy Federal Credit Union. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026

The revolving facility can be thought of as a bank overdraft that allows United to borrow cash and pay it back as and when necessary. —Mark Critchley, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

No-fee overdraft protection Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. —Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026

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