overpass
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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to pass over or traverse (a region, space, etc.).
We had overpassed the frontier during the night.
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to pass beyond (specified limits, bounds, etc.); exceed; overstep; transgress.
to overpass the bounds of good judgment.
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to get over (obstacles, difficulties, etc.); surmount.
to overpass the early days of privation and uncertainty.
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to go beyond, exceed, or surpass.
Greed had somehow overpassed humanitarianism.
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to pass through (time, experiences, etc.).
to overpass one's apprenticeship.
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to overlook; ignore; disregard; omit.
We could hardly overpass such grievous faults. The board overpassed him when promotions were awarded.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
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to pass over, through, or across
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to exceed
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to get over
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to ignore
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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overpasssimple
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overpassessimple
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have overpassedperfect
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have overpastperfect
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has overpassedperfect
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has overpastperfect
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am overpassingprogressive
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are overpassingprogressive
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is overpassingprogressive
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have been overpassingperfect progressive
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has been overpassingperfect progressive
Past
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overpassedsimple
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overpastsimple
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had overpassedperfect
-
had overpastperfect
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was overpassingprogressive
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were overpassingprogressive
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had been overpassingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overpass
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at over-, pass
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.
In October 2022, a rare protest at a highway overpass in Beijing prompted authorities to post security officials at dozens of city overpasses, particularly ahead of notable political events and anniversaries—a practice that continues today.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
He painstakingly hangs up a variety of Rams banners on the overpass fences and then stands behind them on a concrete walkway waving a yellow Rams towel and leading freeway cheers from noon until sundown.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026
And at one point, several men are seen climbing on an overpass and removing what appears to be surveillance cameras attached to it.
From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026
The machines were installed on light posts in the parking lot situated directly under the 5 freeway overpass.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025
They were getting close to Laguna, crossing the overpass by New Laguna; Leroy shifted into second gear for the hill.
From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko
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.
