override

1 of 2

verb

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-

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 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

2 of 2

noun

over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd 

ˈō-və-

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

But the work is reborn whenever Robert Lesser shuffles in as Morry the tailor, whose compassion for Fender overrides his mercantile sense. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

The Jackson County Legislature then voted to override White’s veto, putting the stadium’s sales tax on the April 2 ballot. —The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024

Even more controversial has been the state’s year-old Live Local Act, which overrides local zoning rules in commercial and industrial districts to encourage developers to supersize projects that include certain set-asides for middle-class housing. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024

However, the Supreme Court invalidated the law in 2012, deciding in Arizona v. U.S. that the law’s provisions unconstitutionally overrode federal authority in enforcing immigration laws. —Zachary Folk, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

How the satire becomes the tragedy is central to the power of Ibsen’s dramatic construction, overriding its occasional plot contrivances. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024

Lawmakers would need the support of two-thirds of both chambers to override his veto. —Bracey Harris, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2024

After overriding Mayor Muriel Bowser to reduce penalties for certain crimes a year ago, the council last week passed a measure designed to reverse course to curb retail theft and carjackings. —Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2024

This is about dads and daughters, and the ancient and protective dynamic between them that seems to override logic. —Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024

Noun

Lawmakers fell one vote short in their override attempt last month. —Becky Bohrer, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

The marijuana legislation advanced mostly along party lines, and the minimum wage bills passed strictly on party lines, meaning any override attempt would be almost certain to fail. —Sarah Rankin, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024

The override propels closer to law a ban on gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies, and sets restrictions on mental health care for transgender individuals under 18. —CBS News, 10 Jan. 2024

The Ohio House planned to return from its winter break early to vote on the override, the Ohio Capital Journal reported. —Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 5 Jan. 2024

Twenty-four Republicans backed the override, with Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, serving as the sole GOP vote against it. —Haley Bemiller, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024

As with the digital ad tax, the paid leave mandate was enacted with a veto override vote passed by Maryland legislators. —Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

Scott raised objections to the alternative plan and ultimately vetoed it in November, leaving too little time for a veto override. —Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024

If the override happens, the law takes effect after 90 days. —Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2024

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

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 

overrode -ˈrōd  ; overridden -ˈrid-ᵊn  ; overriding

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

2 of 2 noun

over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd 

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