overrun

verb
UK: /ˌəʊvəˈrʌn/
US: /ˌoʊvərˈrʌn/

  1. To spread over an area quickly and in large numbers.

    1. The weeds have overrun the garden this summer because I was so lazy.
    2. During the heavy rains, the river could overrun its banks and flood the town.

  2. To defeat an enemy quickly by attacking and occupying their land.

    1. The invading army tried to overrun the country in a matter of days.
    2. The rebel forces threatened to overrun the capital if their demands weren't met.

  3. If costs overrun, they increase more than was planned.

    1. The project is likely to overrun its budget if we don't make some changes.
    2. We have to find funding as soon as possible to prevent the budget from overrun.

  4. To continue past an intended limit, especially a time limit.

    1. The meeting will overrun by at least an hour because of the detailed discussions.
    2. The TV program overrun its scheduled time, pushing back the start of the next show.

Synonyms

flood swarm overtake exceed invade
overrun adjective

  1. Having spread or grown over an area in an uncontrolled way.

    1. The garden was completely overrun with weeds and needed serious attention.
    2. The abandoned house was overrun by ivy, making it look like part of the forest.

  2. Having exceeded a limit, such as a budget or a schedule.

    1. The project became overrun and now requires additional funding to complete.
    2. The meeting got overrun, delaying the start of the subsequent appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "overrun" in English means: To spread over an area quickly and in large numbers., To defeat an enemy quickly by attacking and occupying their land., If costs overrun, they increase more than was planned., To continue past an intended limit, especially a time limit..

The phonetic transcription of "overrun" is /ˌəʊvəˈrʌn/ in British English and /ˌoʊvərˈrʌn/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "overrun": flood, swarm, overtake, exceed, invade.

Example usage of "overrun": "The weeds have overrun the garden this summer because I was so lazy.". More examples on the page.