overseas

American  

[oh-ver-seez, oh-ver-seez] / ˌoʊ vərˈsiz, ˈoʊ vərˈsiz /

especially British, oversea

adverb

1. over, across, or beyond the sea; abroad.

   to be sent overseas.

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adjective

1. of or relating to passage over the sea.

   overseas travel.

2. situated beyond the sea.

   overseas territories.

3. pertaining to countries, associations, activities, etc., beyond the sea.

   overseas military service; overseas commitments.

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) countries or territories across the sea or ocean.

overseas British  

adverb

1. beyond the sea; abroad

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adjective

1. of, to, in, from, or situated in countries beyond the sea

2. Also: oversea.  of or relating to passage over the sea

noun

1. informal (functioning as singular) a foreign country or foreign countries collectively

Etymology

Origin of overseas

before 1150; oversea ( Middle English overse, Old English ofer sǣ; over-, sea ) + -s ³ or -s ¹

Example Sentences

Instead of using the money to provide hospice care for legitimately dying patients, Davis alleged, the suspects used it for international travel, to pay mortgages and car loans and to send money overseas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Shares were down 1% in overseas trading, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 0.8% and 0.7%, respectively.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The company is balancing its expansion strategy between China and its overseas markets, eyeing Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh as its near-term international growth engines, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The Middle East is home to roughly half of the more than two million Filipinos working overseas, and their remittances account for 10% of the economy.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

“Your uncle was overseas finance manager, Alex,” he said.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Related Words

• abroad
• foreign