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

In 2025 many mechanical competitors overheated and fell. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

At the time of the first recall, Casely received 51 consumer reports of the chargers overheating, expanding or catching on fire while in use, resulting in six minor burns. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Apr. 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, 16 Apr. 2026

On the monetary side, a central bank may raise interest rates when the economy is overheating to slow the growth of credit and spending. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026

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