overhaul

American  

[oh-ver-hawl, oh-ver-hawl, oh-ver-hawl] / ˌoʊ vərˈhɔl, ˈoʊ vərˌhɔl, ˈoʊ vərˌhɔl /

verb (used with object)

1. to make necessary repairs on; restore to serviceable condition.

   My car was overhauled by an expert mechanic.

2. to investigate or examine thoroughly for repair or revision.

   Next year we're going to overhaul the curriculum.

3. to gain upon, catch up with, or overtake, as in a race.

4. to haul or turn over for examination.

5. Nautical.

   1. to slacken (a rope) by hauling in the opposite direction to that in which the rope was drawn taut.

   2. to release the blocks of (a tackle).

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noun

1. Also overhauling. a general examination and repair.

   The state roads were badly in need of a major overhaul.

overhaul British  

verb

1. to examine carefully for faults, necessary repairs, etc

2. to make repairs or adjustments to (a car, machine, etc)

3. to overtake

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noun

1. a thorough examination and repair

Other Word Forms

• overhauler
  noun
• unoverhauled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of overhaul

First recorded in 1620–30; over- + haul

Explanation

To overhaul is to completely renovate, making major changes in order to repair. A few shutters and a new coat of paint won't come close to fixing that old, boarded-up house — it needs a complete overhaul. Back in the 1620s when the word was coined, overhaul described examining a fishing net to make sure there were no tears or big holes that would keep the fisherman from getting a big haul, or large amount of fish. Today, an overhaul is usually the result of such a close examination — like the overhaul that some people want to make to American public schools, or the overhaul an old car needs to keep it on the road.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the January 5, 2019, print edition as 'PG&E Plans To Overhaul Its Board.'

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2019

A 2014 report from the National Employment Law Project, "The Big Rig Overhaul" estimated wage and hour law violations in the range of $787 million to $998 million each year.

From Salon • Oct. 7, 2018

Overhaul of defensive line kicks into high gear, with rookie second-rounder Lawrence possible heir to Ware, free agent Melton trying to show he’s recovered from knee surgery.

From Washington Times • Jul. 17, 2014

Overhaul is expected to cost well over $2 billion and take years, but despite years of planning, the project still lacks all the funding needed from the federal government and the two states.

From Washington Post • Sep. 9, 2011

We arrived at the Overhaul in good time.

From On Our Selection by Rudd, Steele

Related Words

• fix
• improve
• modernize
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• reexamine
• renew
• repair
• revamp