overruns
|o-ver-runs|
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərˈrʌnz/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˈrʌnz/
(overrun)
exceed limits
Etymology
'overrun' originates from Old English elements 'ofer' + 'rinnan/run', where 'ofer' meant 'above' or 'across' and the root for 'run' meant 'to run' or 'flow'.
'overrun' developed in Middle English from combinations such as 'overrinnen' or 'overrennen' (over- + run forms) and eventually stabilized in modern English as 'overrun'.
Initially it meant 'to run over' or 'flow across', but over time it expanded to include meanings such as 'flood', 'spread uncontrollably', 'invade/overwhelm', and 'exceed (limits/budgets)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'overrun': instances in which something (often costs or time) exceeds an expected or allocated amount; excesses beyond planned limits (e.g., cost overruns).
The project has several cost overruns this year.
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Verb 1
third-person singular of 'overrun': to spread over or flow across (something), often uncontrollably (e.g., water overruns a bank).
The river overruns its banks after heavy rain.
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Verb 2
third-person singular of 'overrun': to invade, capture, or overwhelm (a place or group) often by force or large numbers (e.g., enemy forces overrun the town).
Enemy troops overruns the city within days.
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Last updated: 2026/01/13 10:05