overpass

1 of 2

verb

over·​pass ˌō-vər-ˈpas How to pronounce overpass (audio)
overpassed; overpassing; overpasses

transitive verb

1
: to pass across, over, or beyond : cross
also : surpass
2
3

overpass

2 of 2

noun

over·​pass ˈō-vər-ˌpas How to pronounce overpass (audio)
: a crossing of two highways or of a highway and pedestrian path or railroad at different levels where clearance to traffic on the lower level is obtained by elevating the higher level
also : the upper level of such a crossing

Examples of overpass in a Sentence

Verb to keep peace in the family, he was forced to overpass his in-laws' frequent put-downs a filmmaker whose technical bravura overpasses his ability to tell a coherent story Noun Boys stood beneath the highway overpass. Traffic was stalled on the overpass.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Police initially responded to reports that a suspect was shooting at drivers from an overpass or a wooded area, multiple media accounts have said. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2024 While battling the fire under the overpass, Wethersfield firefighters were also called to a home on Garden Hill Road on the report of a grill fire and received mutual aid from the Rocky Hill Fire Department. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2024 Manning Road from Preston Highway to Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 7 on both sides of the street all day from Sept. 19-22. Gate 6 Drive from Preston Highway to the I-65 overpass on both sides of the street all day from Sept. 19-22. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Sep. 2024 The Camry ran a red traffic light at 10th Street and continued westbound through the intersection, over the Interstate 43 overpass. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overpass 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overpass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overpass was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near overpass

Cite this Entry

“Overpass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overpass. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

overpass

1 of 2 verb
over·​pass ˌō-vər-ˈpas How to pronounce overpass (audio)
1
: to pass across, over, or beyond
2
3

overpass

2 of 2 noun
over·​pass ˈō-vər-ˌpas How to pronounce overpass (audio)
1
: a crossing (as of two highways or of a highway and railroad) at different levels usually by means of a bridge
2
: the upper level of an overpass

More from Merriam-Webster on overpass

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