override

[oh-ver-rahyd, oh-ver-rahyd]

verb (used with object)

overrode, overridden, overriding. 

1. to prevail or have dominance over; have final authority or say over; overrule.

   to override one's advisers.

2. to disregard, set aside, or nullify; countermand.

   to override the board's veto.

3. to take precedence over; preempt or supersede.

   to override any other considerations.

4. to extend beyond or spread over; overlap.

5. to modify or suspend the ordinary functioning of; alter the normal operation of.

6. to ride over or across.

7. to ride past or beyond.

8. to trample or crush; ride down.

9. to ride (a horse) too much.

10. Fox Hunting.,  to ride too closely behind (the hounds).

noun

1. a commission on sales or profits, especially one paid at the executive or managerial level.

2. budgetary or expense increase; exceeding of an estimate.

   work stoppage because of cost overrides.

3. an ability or allowance to correct, change, supplement, or suspend the operation of an otherwise automatic mechanism, system, etc.

4. an auxiliary device for such modification, as a special manual control.

5. an act of nullifying, canceling, or setting aside.

   a congressional override of the president's veto.

6. Radio and Television Slang.,  something that is a dominant or major facet of a program or series, especially something that serves as a unifying theme.

   an entertainment series with a historical override.

override

/ ˌəʊvəˈraɪd /

verb

1. to set aside or disregard with superior authority or power

2. to supersede or annul

3. to dominate or vanquish by or as if by trampling down

4. to take manual control of (a system that is usually under automatic control)

5. to extend or pass over, esp to overlap

6. to ride (a horse) too hard

7. to ride over or across

noun

1. a device or system that can override an automatic control

Word History and Origins

Origin of override¹

before 900; Middle English overriden to ride over or across, Old English oferrīdan. See over-, ride

Example Sentences

Mr. Rein implores us to override the divisive reflexes evolution has bequeathed us.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"It's like the brain has this built-in override switch," Goldstein explains.

Read more on Science Daily

Investors can carve out major issues, such as director contests and mergers, override instructions anytime or opt out altogether.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He scrapped an unpopular consumer carbon tax, paused a 2035 electric-vehicle mandate and enacted a law giving his cabinet authority to override environmental rules for infrastructure projects like oil pipelines.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Others argue that only an elected parliament can endorse overriding the existing constitution.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• abrogate 
• annul 
• nullify 
• quash 
• reverse 
• revoke 
• veto