overhaul
verb
over·haul
ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl 
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls
1
a
: to examine thoroughly
Our systems of education are being constantly overhauled …—
Saturday Rev.
Saturday Rev.
b(1)
: repair
The mechanic overhauled the engine.
(2)
: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
The town librarians are overhauling the summer reading program.
2
: to haul or drag over
3
: overtake
The most imposing U.S. swimmer was overhauled by a 17-year-old Australian in the butterfly race.
Examples of overhaul in a Sentence
The mechanic overhauled the car's engine.
They had to overhaul their original plans.
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s much to fix, even overhaul.
—Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Rather than revising the guidelines, the BBC board is moving to overhaul how editorial risks are identified, escalated and tracked.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025
The 62-page plan, first obtained by Politico, suggested prioritizing Mars missions, focusing on nuclear electric propulsion, overhauling some NASA centers and significantly changing the space agency’s science operations, including a bigger emphasis on commercialization.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
The suit seeks back pay for UPS workers in New York, as well as a court order requiring the company to end off-the-clock work and to overhaul its timekeeping and payroll practices.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Rather than revising the guidelines, the BBC board is moving to overhaul how editorial risks are identified, escalated and tracked.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025
The 62-page plan, first obtained by Politico, suggested prioritizing Mars missions, focusing on nuclear electric propulsion, overhauling some NASA centers and significantly changing the space agency’s science operations, including a bigger emphasis on commercialization.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
The suit seeks back pay for UPS workers in New York, as well as a court order requiring the company to end off-the-clock work and to overhaul its timekeeping and payroll practices.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
Cite this Entry
“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhaul
verb
over·haul
ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
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