overpass

[oh-ver-pas, -pahs, oh-ver-pas, -pahs]

noun

1. a road, pedestrian walkway, railroad, bridge, etc., crossing over some barrier, as another road or walkway.

verb (used with object)

overpassed, overpast, overpassing. 

1. to pass over or traverse (a region, space, etc.).

   We had overpassed the frontier during the night.

2. to pass beyond (specified limits, bounds, etc.); exceed; overstep; transgress.

   to overpass the bounds of good judgment.

3. to get over (obstacles, difficulties, etc.); surmount.

   to overpass the early days of privation and uncertainty.

4. to go beyond, exceed, or surpass.

   Greed had somehow overpassed humanitarianism.

5. to pass through (time, experiences, etc.).

   to overpass one's apprenticeship.

6. to overlook; ignore; disregard; omit.

   We could hardly overpass such grievous faults. The board overpassed him when promotions were awarded.

verb (used without object)

overpassed, overpast, overpassing. 

1. to pass over; pass by.

   Under the bridge there was the din of cars overpassing.

overpass

noun

1. another name for flyover

verb

1. to pass over, through, or across

2. to exceed

3. to get over

4. to ignore

Word History and Origins

Origin of overpass¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; over-, pass

Example Sentences

A number of Waymo self-driving vehicles were set on fire near Olivera Street, and a group of California Highway Patrol officers on the 101 Freeway were pelted with items from protesters on the overpass above.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This time, Ottumwa is having its own demonstration on a highway overpass, said Bailey Johnson, a vice chair of the Wapello County Democrats, who is organizing the event.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Guards have been stationed 24 hours a day at the entrances to overpasses and bridges to prevent any protests, some of them in army uniforms.

Read more on BBC

Meanwhile, at least five police officers were treated on the scene for injuries sustained when a few protesters threw rocks from highway overpasses onto cars and one fired paintballs at officers.

Read more on Salon

In the hours that followed, they stole two more vehicles before ending up in a Chevrolet Silverado under a freeway overpass in Boyle Heights, shielded from the police and TV helicopters overhead.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• footbridge 
• viaduct 
• walkway