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

Another new law, Senate Bill 1808, requires providers and health care facilities to refund overpayments made by patients within 30 days. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 2 Jan. 2026

At the end of July, the SSA began withholding 50% of monthly benefits from individuals with outstanding overpayments. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025

Refunds of overpayments Pay the same bill twice for a medical procedure? —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Dec. 2025

The report indicates that the overpayment stemmed from an error in the state’s personnel records, but the employee’s indefinite leave of absence was approved by his supervisor. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 13 Dec. 2025

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