override

1 of 2

verb

over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
overrode ˌō-vər-ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overridden ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overriding ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-

transitive verb

1
: to ride over or across : trample
overrode the thin line of defenders
2
: to ride (an animal, such as a horse) too much or too hard
3
a
: to prevail over : dominate
panic overrode everything elseMarcia Davenport
b
: to set aside : annul
override a veto
the rights of the individual were being flagrantly overriddenC. L. Jones
c
: to neutralize the action of (something, such as an automatic control)
You must enter a code to override the alarm.
4
: to extend or pass over
especially : overlap
Huge waves override the beach.

override

2 of 2

noun

over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˈō-və-
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
2
3
: a device or system used to override a control
4
: an act or an instance of overriding

Example Sentences

Verb Congress overrode the President's veto. These new rules override the old ones. Don't let anger override common sense. You must enter a code to override the alarm. She overrode the default settings on her computer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The state legislature voted 80 to 11, easily getting the two-thirds votes needed to override Gov. Stitt’s veto. Nicole Chavez, CNN, 26 May 2023 The council unanimously voted to override the veto. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 16 May 2023 But your state legislature has a super majority that could override it. CBS News, 7 May 2023 But this year, the House voted 84-40 to override her veto, exactly what supporters needed. John Hanna, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Apr. 2023 House Republicans there failed to get enough votes to override their GOP Gov. Doug Burgum’s veto of a bill that would have allowed state employees and teachers to misgender transgender students and staff. Candy Woodall, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2023 The driver can override the system, the company says, if the alert is incorrect or unnecessary. WISe can detect the presence of passengers in the vehicle and where they are seated. IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2023 The rise of Ethyl was an old story: a private company’s reaping profits from a new innovation while socializing the costs of its unintended consequences and overriding the objections at the time through sheer commercial might. Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023 Lawmakers responded by introducing legislation that would let individual cities and counties ban the procedure, a blatant attempt to override the will of the people. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 9 Mar. 2023
Noun
The Legislature powered this bill and its subsequent override through in spite of the fact that there currently is one transgender girl competing in Utah high school sports. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Mar. 2022 Progressives have demanded, among other measures, the end of the Electoral College, the override of state management of elections, statehood for Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia for purely partisan reasons, and the packing of the Supreme Court. Robert Delahunty, National Review, 11 Aug. 2021 Veto override: The GOP majority legislature in Kentucky overrode Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Chuck Todd, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2023 The bill, which has now been made law by the legislature's override, puts into effect some of the strictest obstacles yet for the transgender community. Justin Klawans, The Week, 29 Mar. 2023 Allard voted against the override. Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2022 And a Democratic supermajority ceding its power to a lame-duck Republican governor, who can now veto at will without the threat of an override. Emma Platoff, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 Cox, for his part, seemed to expect the override. Nate Hochman, National Review, 25 Mar. 2022 Are there the votes for a veto override? Laura Hancock, cleveland, 13 Aug. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'override.' 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

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of override was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near override

Cite this Entry

“Override.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/override. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

override

verb
over·​ride
-ˈrīd
overrode
-ˈrōd
; overridden
-ˈrid-ᵊn
; overriding
-ˈrīd-iŋ
1
: to ride over or across : trample
2
: to ride a horse too much or too hard
3
a
: to take power away from : dominate
b
: annul sense 2
the congress overrode the president's veto

Legal Definition

override

1 of 2 transitive verb
over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
overrode -ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio) ; overridden -ˈrid-ᵊn How to pronounce override (audio) ; overriding
1
: to prevail or take precedence over
if, as is often the case, federal constitutional principles override state statutory or common lawH. P. Wilkins
2
: to set aside by virtue of superior authority
overrode the jury's sentencing recommendation
especially : annul sense 2
override a veto with the required majority

override

2 of 2 noun
over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates

called also override commission

2
3
: an act or instance of overriding
a legislative override
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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