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

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

Two parents have been arrested after police found their toddler wandering alone on the overpass of a railroad in Needles.

From Los Angeles Times

The first layers of soil were laid on the overpass in March.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• footbridge 
• viaduct 
• walkway