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

Walmart has sherpa heated blankets with a two to 10-hour auto-shutoff to prevent overheating. —Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025

This prompts the straw to start decomposing, ensuring the bales won’t overheat and burn your plants later. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025

The gel inside can overheat in hot cars or direct sunlight, putting children at risk of injury. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025

The fleece, cotton, and polyester-blend has an extra-soft lining that adds just enough warmth, while the open neckline provides airflow to keep me cool without overheating. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for overheat

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