overflows; overflowed; overflowing
1
: to flow over the edge or top of (something)
The river overflowed its banks.
The creek overflows every spring.
The water in the tub overflowed.
—often used figurativelyThe large crowd filled the room and overflowed into the lobby.
2
: to fill or cover (something) completely
Books and papers overflowed his desk.
The paragraph overflowed the page.
3
: to be completely filled with something : to be so filled that there is not enough room for anything or anyone more
overflowing trash cans
—often + withHis desk was overflowing with papers.
The hotels are all filled/full to overflowing with tourists.
—often used figurativelyHer heart was overflowing with joy.
plural overflows
1
: an act of flowing over the edge or top of something
—usually singular —often + of
The rescuers put up sandbags to stop the overflow of the river.
2
a
: the amount of something that flows over the edge or top of something else
—usually singular
The overflow from the river flooded the field.
b
: the number of people or things that goes over a limit
—usually singular —often + of
The police tried to control the overflow of traffic.
The company hired more people to handle the overflow of phone calls.
—sometimes used before another nounThe band played to an overflow crowd. [=a crowd larger than a place is meant to hold]
3
: a pipe or container for liquid that overflows from something else
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/overflow. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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