overland

1 of 2

adverb

over·​land ˈō-vər-ˌland 

-lənd

: by, on, or across land

overland

2 of 2

adjective

: going or accomplished over the land instead of by sea

overland emigrants

an overland route

Example Sentences

Adverb

We traveled overland by horse to the mountains.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The United Nations and many nations have also evacuated their citizens overland, after receiving security assurances from the warring sides. —Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023

In 1831, a devastating strain of cholera blossomed along the Ganges River delta in India and spread rapidly overland into China, Iran, and Russia before being transported along the Ural Mountain trade routes into Europe. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016

This made the boats flexible and light enough for smaller ones to be transported overland. —National Geographic, 12 Jan. 2023

The invasion threatened to cut off Ukraine’s access to gasoline, diesel and crude oil, which came overland from Russia and from Belarus, a Russian ally, or from the blockaded Black Sea. —Marcus Walker, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022

This act is usually followed by a leap off a precipice onto and across a field of basketball-sized rocks, overland to the beach, a quick tour at terrifying angles over the sand dunes, then down to the water's edge to speed along, playing tag with the waves, and finally—mercifully—home again. —Car and Driver, 11 Aug. 2022

Omar’s only option was to flee overland to Europe. —Terry W. Hartle, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2022

In March, more than 32,000 Cubans arrived at the border, most of them flying first to Nicaragua then traveling overland to the United States, according to a senior State Department official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of ongoing dialogue with the Cuban government. —New York Times, 3 May 2022

Some modern fish can move overland by pushing their bodies up with their fins and flopping forward. —National Geographic, 23 Apr. 2020

Adjective

Like opting for longer and more sporadic overland journeys instead of shorter trips with long-haul flights? —Kate Siber, Outside Online, 8 Mar. 2023

But as for right now, an evacuation through some overland convoy is the most likely path out for folks who work for the U.N. and the World Food Program, for example, who serve other countries in Khartoum and around the country, and for those remaining U.S. nationals who may wish to leave. —CBS News, 23 Apr. 2023

The project would also require overland travel along the project right-of-way, along the access roads and in work areas. —Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2023

The latest world leader to make the grueling overland journey to show solidarity with Ukraine, Kishida toured Bucha on the capital’s outskirts, left littered with dead last year by fleeing Russian troops. —Reuters, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2023

The concept is expected to lead to an overland upfit for the Hummer EV pickup that will eventually be available to customers. —Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 31 Mar. 2023

Bard, who has degrees in art and archaeology, spent a year making the sometimes dangerous overland trip from Cairo to Capetown in the mid-1970s. —Andrew Curry, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2011

The main difference between the two routes lies in the stretch of trail between the checkpoint of Ophir — about 340 miles into the race — and Kaltag, the last stop before a long overland portage to the Bering Sea Coast. —Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Feb. 2023

But recently, most asylum seekers have been arriving through overland routes, crossing the Balkans and moving westward through Europe. —Claire Parker, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overland

adverb or adjective

over·​land

ˈō-vər-ˌland,

-lənd

: by, on, or across land