overdraft

American  

[oh-ver-draft, -drahft] / ˈoʊ vərˌdræft, -ˌdrɑft /

noun

1. an act or instance of overdrawing a checking account.

2. a check overdrawn on a checking account.

3. the amount overdrawn.

4. an excessive drawing on or drawing off of something.

5. a draft made to pass over a fire, as in a furnace.

6. a draft passing downward through a kiln.

7. Metalworking. a tendency of a rolled piece to curve upward after passing through a stand, occurring when the lower roll is faster than the upper.

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overdraft British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌdrɑːft /

noun

1. a draft or withdrawal of money in excess of the credit balance on a bank or building-society cheque account

2. the amount of money drawn or withdrawn thus

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overdraft Cultural  

1. The amount by which a check exceeds the funds on deposit to cover it.

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Etymology

Origin of overdraft

First recorded in 1875–80; over- + draft

Example Sentences

The only money rule I knew then was “Don’t overdraft your bank account.”

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

Not all banks tell a customer in advance that their credit limit is being cut unless it leads to an overdraft fee or some other fees associated with the credit card.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

When credit options contract, households are forced to turn to riskier alternatives with higher overdraft and late fees and less transparent pricing.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

But many of these services automatically draft payments from customer bank accounts, which can result in overdraft fees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

Ashamed for not understanding why we were always paying late fees and overdraft charges.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

Related Words

• default
• disaster
• failure
• insolvency
• liquidation
• loss