overbook

American  

[oh-ver-book] / ˌoʊ vərˈbʊk /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌbuːk /

verb

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

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Etymology

Origin of overbook

1900–05; over- + book (v.)

Example Sentences

Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said last week that the wait for an appointment could be extended from three weeks to six weeks or more to ensure the system does not overbook.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2021

"Does that mean we should overbook flights and start charging for everything? We don't think so."

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2018

Adding to the condemnation, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called on the Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao to suspend the federal regulation that permits airlines to overbook flights.

From Washington Times • Apr. 11, 2017

Furthermore, Boeing and Airbus typically overbook their delivery slots to ensure they always have a buyer for planes if another customer cancels or defers an order.

From Reuters • May 22, 2012

Hotels need to acknowledge that guaranteed reservations are contracts, just as airlines do when they overbook flights.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2011