overfill

verb

over·​fill ˌō-vər-ˈfil How to pronounce overfill (audio)
overfilled; overfilling; overfills

intransitive verb

: to become full to overflowing

Example Sentences

He overfilled the pail and the water spilled out. overfilled the wheelbarrow with bricks until finally no one could push it
Recent Examples on the Web Our relationship overfilled with a passion that overshadowed the insecurities that weakly tied us together. Sage Agee, Washington Post, 11 May 2023 Salt River Project cranked open the floodgates at Theodore Roosevelt Dam on Wednesday, testing the structure's ability to protect metro Phoenix from disaster should rain and snowmelt overfill the reservoir behind it. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2023 This can occur after improper administration of the filler, overfilling the area, or improper aftercare, among other causes. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2023 For starters, don't overfill your fridge. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 25 July 2022 Don't overfill your dishwasher. Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 12 May 2022 Most importantly, don’t overfill your fryer. Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Nov. 2021 Don't overfill the pot. Abigail Rosenthal, Chron, 20 Nov. 2020 Don’t overfill your containers. Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overfill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overfill was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near overfill

Cite this Entry

“Overfill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overfill. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

overfill

verb
over·​fill ˌō-vər-ˈfil How to pronounce overfill (audio)
: to fill to overflowing

More from Merriam-Webster on overfill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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