overland

¹ American  

[oh-ver-land, -luhnd] / ˈoʊ vərˌlænd, -lənd /

adverb

1. by land; on terrain.

   to travel overland rather than by sea.

2. over or across the land.

   a road that winds overland.

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adjective

1. proceeding, performed, or carried on overland.

   the overland route to the West.

Overland ² American  

[oh-ver-luhnd] / ˈoʊ vər lənd /

noun

1. a city in E Missouri, near St. Louis.

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overland British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌlænd /

adjective

1. over or across land

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verb

1. history to drive (cattle or sheep) overland

Other Word Forms

• overlander noun

Etymology

Origin of overland

First recorded in 1325–75, overland is from the Middle English word overlond. See over-, land

Example Sentences

But these overland routes are too congested, expensive and insufficient to make up for the paralysis of traditional routes, Schneider said.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Others have made it out by traveling overland to neighboring Oman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Fort Bliss is a military post focused on training and White Sands Missile Range is the country's largest overland testing range for missiles, rockets and advanced weapons.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

After the dispute flared with fresh fighting in May, the neighbours shuttered overland crossings.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

One was so sick with malaria that he couldn't even start the overland journey.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple