overheat

verb

over·​heat ˌō-vər-ˈhēt 

overheated; overheating; overheats

transitive verb

1

: to heat to excess

2

: to stimulate or agitate unduly

intransitive verb

: to become heated beyond a safe or desirable point

Examples of overheat in a Sentence

I overheated the food in the microwave.

Be careful not to overheat the engine.

Recent Examples on the Web

Regenerative cooling prevents those walls from overheating by sending fuel or another coolant through channels built into them. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

The bedspread gives you all of the fluffy loft without risking overheating, thanks to its breathable down-alternative fill and box-stitch design that keeps it evenly distributed. — Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2026

The microwave filter is crucial for protecting your microwave’s internal parts from gunk getting stuck or the fans from overheating. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2026

Various hair dryers, especially high-end and luxury models, will include safety settings to prevent overheating. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for overheat

• bittersweet
• incomplete
• indiscreet
• marguerite
• obsolete
• overeat
• parakeet
• stillingfleet
• superheat
• amit
• athlete
• backseat