overtake
Americanverb (used with object)
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to catch up with in traveling or pursuit; draw even with.
By taking a cab to the next town, we managed to overtake and board the train.
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to catch up with and pass, as in a race; move by.
He overtook the leader three laps from the finish.
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to move ahead of in achievement, production, score, etc.; surpass.
to overtake all other countries in steel production.
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to happen to or befall someone suddenly or unexpectedly, as night, a storm, or death.
The pounding rainstorm overtook them just outside the city.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to move past (another vehicle or person) travelling in the same direction
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(tr) to pass or do better than, after catching up with
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(tr) to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly
night overtook him
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(tr) to catch up with; draw level with
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of overtake
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English overtaken; see over-, take
Vocabulary lists containing overtake
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Overtake mode: Replaces the current DRS overtaking aid.
From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025
Overtake in terms of viewership on living room devices?
From The Verge • Aug. 3, 2021
IPO Monday LivingSocial To Overtake Groupon With $400M: LivingSocial Investor 42 This past week was all about LinkedIn's massive IPO, but next week there are a new slate of companies prepping for initial public offerings.
From Forbes • May 20, 2011
The lead story of Wednesday's Global Times, a Communist Party-owned tabloid, pointedly raised the two countries' economic prospects, asking “Can China Overtake the U.S. in Five Years?”
From Time • Apr. 29, 2011
Overtake Corporal Dudley or intercept him at headquarters.
From The Littlest Rebel by Peple, Edward Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
