override

1 of 2

verb

over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
overrode ˌō-vər-ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
 ; overridden ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
 ; overriding ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
Synonyms of overridenext

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 How to pronounce override (audio)
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
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.
Verb
However, Congress was given the power to override those state rules and set its own regulations for federal elections. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Melhado said the likelihood the Legislature would override a veto on the bill is rare despite the amount of bipartisan support. — Kat Tran, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
Town officials are now pinning their hopes on another override vote. — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 1 June 2026 It was vetoed, the override failed, and Chicago entered another summer with the same insufficient tools as the last. — Desmon Yancy, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for override

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

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

Rhymes for override

See All Rhymes for override

Browse Nearby Words

overrich
override
overrider
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Override.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/override. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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 How to pronounce override (audio)
overrode -ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio) ; overridden -ˈrid-ᵊn How to pronounce override (audio) ; 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 How to pronounce override (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on override

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for override

Nglish: Translation of override for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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