overpass

American  

[oh-ver-pas, -pahs, oh-ver-pas, -pahs] / ˈoʊ vərˌpæs, -ˌpɑs, ˌoʊ vərˈpæs, -ˈpɑs /

noun

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

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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 British  

noun

1. another name for flyover

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verb

1. to pass over, through, or across

2. to exceed

3. to get over

4. to ignore

Etymology

Origin of overpass

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

Example Sentences

There are no overpasses or power cables in sight.

From The Wall Street Journal

And maintenance crews were recently instructed to wash away chalk drawings and messages that covered a campus overpass.

From Seattle Times

And maintenance crews recently were instructed to wash away chalk drawings and messages that covered a campus overpass, part of a longstanding tradition of eclectic artwork and expression.

From Seattle Times

Parked cars crowd under the interstate overpass as people pour out of their vehicles instead of their homes.

From Washington Post

At UC Davis in August, campus police searched for four white men in black clothing who displayed Holocaust denial banners over a bicycle overpass, according to Chancellor Gary May.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• footbridge
• viaduct
• walkway