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

Bedding Deals Swap heavy bedding for lightweight, cooling quilts, sheets, and gel fiber bed pillows to avoid overheating at night. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Investigators said the Jeep had been recalled because its transmission could cause fluid to catch fire if overheated, according to WCBS. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025

Light and airy, eco-friendly bamboo fabric — used for clothing, sheets, towels and other household textiles — is touted for being soft on baby skin, hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking and breathable, which prevents overheating. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025

Unlike other walking shoes that are heavy on the foam, your feet won’t overheat in these. —Gabrielle Kassel, Glamour, 11 Apr. 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