overbook

[ oh-ver-book ]

verb (used with object)

1. to accept reservations for in excess of the number that can be accommodated:

   The airline routinely overbooks its flights so as to fill its planes even if there are last-minute cancellations.

verb (used without object)

1. to accept reservations in excess of the number that can be accommodated:

   If the hotel has overbooked, some of the conventioners won't have a place to stay.

overbook

/ ˈəʊvəˌbuːk /

verb

1. tr to make more reservations than there are places, tickets, hotel rooms, etc, available

Word History and Origins

Origin of overbook¹

1900–05; over- + book (v.)

Example Sentences

But sometimes delays are indeed attributable at least in part to airports and airlines that overbook flights.

From The Daily Beast