override

American  

[oh-ver-rahyd, oh-ver-rahyd] / ˌoʊ vərˈraɪd, ˈoʊ vərˌraɪd /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of override

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

Example Sentences

Indeed, Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution says that states through their legislatures set the rules for congressional elections, subject to congressional override.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

The act of striving for more, like some frenzied truffle hound, is usually an attempt to override fear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Under a new proposal being evaluated by officials, the City Council could have the power to override decisions not to fire by the disciplinary panels.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

To override a veto, both chambers would have to pass the measure with a two-thirds majority.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The needs of the windmill must override everything else, he said.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell

Related Words

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