overruns; overran
-ˈræn 
; overrun; overrunning
; overrun; overrunning
1
: to enter and be present in (a place) in large numbers
The tank divisions overran the countryside.
The city was being overrun by enemy troops.
Rats overran the ship.
In the summer, the town is overrun with/by tourists. [=is filled with tourists]
2
: to run or go beyond or past (something)
The runner overran [=ran past] third base.
The plane overran the runway.
The stream has overrun [=overflowed] its banks.
His speech overran the time allowed.
3
: to spread over or throughout (something)
Weeds overran the garden. = The garden was overrun with/by weeds.
Crime overran the neighborhood.
plural overruns
: an amount of money that is spent and that is more than the expected or planned amount
cost/budget overruns
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/overrun. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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