overstay

verb

over·​stay ˌō-vər-ˈstā How to pronounce overstay (audio)
overstayed; overstaying; overstays

transitive verb

: to stay beyond the time or the limits of

Examples of overstay in a Sentence

She was guilty of overstaying a student visa.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The men were taken into custody, and investigators eventually determined that all four were in the U.S. illegally or had overstayed their visas, court documents say. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The Homeland Security Department reported that about 600 Iranians overstayed visas as business or exchange visitors, tourists and students in the 12-month period through September 2023, the most recent report shows. Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 The family entered the United States in August 2022, Lee told CNN Wednesday, before overstaying their visas. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 June 2025 Cuellar had allegedly overstayed his non-immigrant visa by more than four years. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for overstay

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overstay was in 1641

Cite this Entry

“Overstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstay. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

overstay

verb
over·​stay -ˈstā How to pronounce overstay (audio)
: to stay beyond the time or the limits of
overstayed their welcome

More from Merriam-Webster on overstay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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