overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment ˌō-vər-ˈpā-mənt 

plural overpayments

: payment that exceeds what is necessary

overpayment of taxes

… implemented electronic payrolls for all employees to prevent overpayment …

—Jocelyn Brumbaugh

also : an amount that is paid in excess

… two taxpayers could not get refunds of tax overpayments dating back more than four years …

—Samantha McCaughren

Examples of overpayment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As of this year, Florida requires medical providers to reimburse patients within 30 days of a determination of an overpayment. — Julie Appleby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Years after the overpayment, the state sued to get the money back. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026

In addition to cutting federal funding for the food assistance program, the legislation calls for states to pay penalties based on their payment error rates, a measure of overpayments and underpayments of benefits. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026

States will also need to chip in if their error rate — a measure of overpayments and underpayments — is at or above 6%. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overpayment

• underpayment
• claimant
• payment
• copayment
• embayment
• nonpayment
• prepayment
• repayment

Legal Definition

overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment

ˈō-vər-ˌpā-mənt

: payment in excess of what is due