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Definition of overflow
transitive verb
1 : to cover with or as if with water : inundate
2 : to flow over the brim of
3 : to cause to overflow
intransitive verb
1 : to flow over bounds
2 : to fill a space to capacity and spread beyond its limits the crowd overflowed into the street
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Examples of overflow in a Sentence
The river overflowed its banks.
The creek overflows every spring.
The water in the tub overflowed.
Books and papers overflowed his desk.
The paragraph overflowed the page.
Recent Examples of overflow from the Web
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The river ran above flood stage all spring as water managers strove to avoid overflowing upstream dams that could have caused far more severe flooding.
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True enough, one establishment’s story overflowed with terms like organic, vegan, flavor, and freshness; the other provided an address and nothing else.
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The plan to address bacteria was completed, and Peter Goodmann, the division of water's director, praised MSD for getting rid of poorly performing neighborhood treatment plants and the often-overflowing Jeffersontown treatment plant.
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Choose an abundant, overflowing and voluminous bouquet that guests are sure to be inspired by and obsessed with.
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The overflowing trash may violate the warranty of habitability, a state statute.
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More than 200 breweries pouring more than 400 beers — our mugs overflow.
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Nestled on an island overflowing with outdoor activities, unique shops, award-winning gardens and impressive historical sites, Victoria is chock full of fun for couples and families alike.
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Male Athlete of the Year The 6-foot, 190-pound Thompson was the kind of team player a coach needs on a squad overflowing with talent.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overflow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of overflow
before 12th century
Definition of overflow
1 : a flowing over : inundation
2 : something that flows over : surplus
3 : an outlet or receptacle for surplus liquid
Examples of overflow in a Sentence
a great overflow of water from the heavy rains swept mud and silt down onto the highway
an overflow of help actually made the job more complicated
Recent Examples of overflow from the Web
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Attendees packed City Hall’s council chambers, sitting on the floor and filling an overflow area to hear the details of the plan and be among the 27 individuals who gave feedback during the long public hearing.
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To cut down on the algae, Ohio and its neighboring states are focusing on encouraging farmers to take voluntary steps that prevent manure and fertilizers from flowing into the lake’s tributaries and reducing overflows from sewage treatment plants.
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The chronic sewage overflows are a major reason the amount of disease-causing bacteria in the river remains staggeringly high, despite years of efforts to improve water quality.
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Dauphin Island and Bayou La Batre also reported small overflows.
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MSD since 2005 has been forced to spend nearly $1 billion to help make up for the community's past sins in many of those areas, curbing sewage overflows and making urban areas more like a sponge to soak up and naturally filter dirty stormwater.
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Neighbors and passers-by frequently use our bins, causing trash and recycling to overflow and commingle, so the city often tickets our building.
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The second floor of the building will be used for overflow seating, as well as to accommodate private parties in the future.
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A dirt lot in that area — which for years has been used for overflow parking — will become home to a 41-unit apartment complex.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overflow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of overflow
1568
OVERFLOW Defined for English Language Learners
overflow
playDefinition of overflow for English Language Learners
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: to flow over the edge or top of (something)
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: to fill or cover (something) completely
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: to be completely filled with something : to be so filled that there is not enough room for anything or anyone more
overflow
playDefinition of overflow for English Language Learners
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: an act of flowing over the edge or top of something
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: the amount of something that flows over the edge or top of something else
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: the number of people or things that goes over a limit
OVERFLOW Defined for Kids
Definition of overflow for Students
overflowed
;overflowing
1 : to flow over the top of The river overflowed its banks.
2 : to flow over bounds The creek overflows every spring.
3 : to fill or become filled beyond capacity The basket was overflowing with candy.
4 : to fill a space up and spread beyond its limits The crowd overflowed into the street.
Definition of overflow for Students
1 : a flowing over Dams couldn't stop the overflow.
2 : something that flows over or fills a space and spreads beyond its limits Police tried to control the overflow of traffic.
Medical Dictionary
overflow
playMedical Definition of overflow
: an excessive flow or amount
Learn More about overflow
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See words that rhyme with overflow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overflow Spanish Central: Translation of overflow Nglish: Translation of overflow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of overflow for Arabic speakers
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