oversteer

[oh-ver-steer, oh-ver-steer]

noun

1. handling of an automotive vehicle that causes turns that are sharper than the driver intends because the rear wheels slide to the outside of the turn before the front wheels lose traction.

verb (used without object)

1. (of an automotive vehicle) to undergo or handle with an oversteer, especially excessively.

oversteer

/ ˌəʊvəˈstɪə /

verb

1. (of a vehicle) to turn more sharply, for a particular turn of the steering wheel, than is desirable or anticipated

noun

1. the tendency of a vehicle to oversteer

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversteer¹

First recorded in 1935–40; over- + steer ¹

Example Sentences

Hamilton was first to retire from the race, crashing into the wall from seventh position following a moment of oversteer at Turn Three when light rain was falling on the track.

From BBC

A snap of oversteer sent him even higher than the normal high line there, and he could not avoid the end of the barrier on the exit of the corner.

From BBC

Lewis Hamilton was sixth fastest, 0.306secs slower than team-mate Leclerc and appearing to struggle with rear-end stability on the evidence of several oversteer snaps that sent him into the run-off area at the chicane.

From BBC

One minute he's complaining about oversteer, another about understeer.

From BBC

"One little oversteer in Turn One, Turn Two, you kind of already know it's going to be a tricky rest of the lap. So, it's still good. I still feel fine. I'm happy with second, especially in Barcelona – it's not the end of the world. So, a positive weekend."

From BBC