overland

¹ American  

[oh-ver-land, -luhnd] / ˈoʊ vərˌlænd, -lənd /

adverb

1. by land; on terrain.

   to travel overland rather than by sea.

2. over or across the land.

   a road that winds overland.

---

adjective

1. proceeding, performed, or carried on overland.

   the overland route to the West.

Overland ² American  

[oh-ver-luhnd] / ˈoʊ vər lənd /

noun

1. a city in E Missouri, near St. Louis.

---

overland British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌlænd /

adjective

1. over or across land

---

verb

1. history to drive (cattle or sheep) overland

Other Word Forms

• overlander noun

Etymology

Origin of overland

First recorded in 1325–75, overland is from the Middle English word overlond. See over-, land

Example Sentences

The World Health Organization has sent a first humanitarian convoy overland to Lebanon, which has now reached Syria.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The vast central African country has only a single overland pipeline, which carries imported oil from the Atlantic port of Matadi in the west to Kinshasa.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Fort Bliss is a military post focused on training and White Sands Missile Range is the country's largest overland testing range for missiles, rockets and advanced weapons.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Seeking medical treatment that’s more affordable and easier to schedule than in the U.S., they take trains to Southern California, then continue overland across the border.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

I nod to them and smile and turn off the river on the overland trail out to the Bering Sea.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen