override

verb

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over·ride | \ ˌō-vər-ˈrīd

, ˌō-və-\

overrode\ ˌō-vər-ˈrōd

, ˌō-və- \; overridden\ ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn

, ˌō-və- \; overriding\ ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ

, ˌō-və- \

Definition of override

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

3a : to prevail over : dominate panic overrode everything else— Marcia Davenport

b : to set aside : annul override a veto the rights of the individual were being flagrantly overridden— C. 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

noun

over·ride | \ ˈō-vər-ˌrīd

, ˈō-və-\

Definition of override (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates

2 : royalty sense 5a

3 : a device or system used to override a control

4 : an act or an instance of overriding

Examples of override in a Sentence

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 council previously failed to override Battle's first veto. — Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, "Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle again vetoes salary increase," 13 Sep. 2019 Lamont vetoed a bill that was designed to resolve the issue, but lawmakers backed off in mid-July after pledging to override the veto. — Christopher Keating, courant.com, "Lawmakers planning for special session later this month," 11 Sep. 2019 But Trump vetoed the legislation stopping the move, and Congress failed to override the veto. — Justin Wingerter, The Denver Post, "Colorado space control project money going to Trump’s border wall instead, senator says," 4 Sep. 2019 The next step is for the veto to come before the council, where it can be overridden with at least a 4-1 vote or, failing that, the mayor's salary increase will be again struck down. — Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, "Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle again vetoes salary increase," 13 Sep. 2019 Hogan vetoed that bill, but was overridden 93-43, nullifying his 2016 executive order that public schools in Maryland start after Labor Day and end classes by June 15. — Erika Butler, baltimoresun.com, "To start before or after Labor Day, that is the question for Harford schools," 30 Aug. 2019 The league also did not opt out of the CBA, with commissioner Gary Bettman citing momentum and the importance of labor peace overriding any issues the owners might have. — BostonGlobe.com, "Most read on BostonGlobe.com," 17 Sep. 2019 The league also did not opt out of the CBA, with Commissioner Gary Bettman citing momentum and the importance of labor peace overriding any issues the owners might have. — Stephen Whyno, chicagotribune.com, "NHL players stay with CBA, labor peace set to at least 2022," 16 Sep. 2019 These people predicted Silicon Valley would persuade Congress to write a federal law that overrode the the CCPA, or at least convince Sacramento legislatures to exempt the tech industry. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, "Here Comes America’s First Privacy Law: What the CCPA Means for Business and Consumers," 13 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Mass layoffs and a return to economic recession are possible, said lawmakers who voted for the override. — James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "With 22 Republicans absent, the Alaska Legislature failed to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes. What’s next?," 11 July 2019 The question to approve the override to increase the tax levy by more than $6.5 million was approved 5,400 in favor to 2,367 opposed, according to the office. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "New England news in brief," 9 May 2018 The veto and lack of an override had led to an 11-week budget impasse. — Gary D. Robertson, USA TODAY, "North Carolina GOP lawmakers voted to override governor's budget veto while Democrats were at 9/11 memorial," 11 Sep. 2019 The veto and lack of an override had led to an 11-week budget impasse. — CBS News, "North Carolina GOP votes to override budget veto while many Democrats were at 9/11 events," 11 Sep. 2019 The 5-4 vote here is significant because a veto override requires six council votes. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: San Diego makes big moves to ease affordable housing shortage," 4 Aug. 2019 The override isn't complete — the Senate still must hold a vote on the issue, but Republicans there need only one Democrat to join them to secure victory. — Gary D. Robertson, USA TODAY, "North Carolina GOP lawmakers voted to override governor's budget veto while Democrats were at 9/11 memorial," 11 Sep. 2019 Because whatever personal meaning might be attached to the hat, the new broader cultural meaning overrides. — Washington Post, "The MAGA hat is not a statement of policy. It’s an inflammatory declaration of identity.," 17 Aug. 2019 Most district employees had received a 2.67% salary increase in April after voters approved a mill levy override. — Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, "New teachers in Jeffco would make $2,000 more a year under proposed deal between union, district," 17 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'override.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Statistics for override

Last Updated

25 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for override

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

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More Definitions for override

override

verb

English Language Learners Definition of override

: to make (something) no longer valid

: to have more importance or influence than (something)

: to stop an action that is done automatically by using a special command

See the full definition for override in the English Language Learners Dictionary

override

verb

over·ride | \ ˌō-vər-ˈrīd

overrode\ -ˈrōd \; overridden\ -ˈri-dᵊn \; overriding\ -ˈrī-diŋ \

Kids Definition of override

: to push aside as less important Don't let anger override sense.

override

transitive verb

over·ride | \ ˌō-vər-ˈrīd

overrode\ -ˈrōd

\; overridden\ -ˈrid-ᵊn

\; overriding

Legal Definition of override

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to prevail or take precedence over if, as is often the case, federal constitutional principles override state statutory or common law— H. 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

noun

over·ride | \ ˈō-vər-ˌrīd

Legal Definition of override (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates

— called also override commission

2 : royalty

3 : an act or instance of overriding a legislative override

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