overtake
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to catch up with in traveling or pursuit; draw even with.
By taking a cab to the next town, we managed to overtake and board the train.
-
to catch up with and pass, as in a race; move by.
He overtook the leader three laps from the finish.
-
to move ahead of in achievement, production, score, etc.; surpass.
to overtake all other countries in steel production.
-
to happen to or befall someone suddenly or unexpectedly, as night, a storm, or death.
The pounding rainstorm overtook them just outside the city.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to move past (another vehicle or person) travelling in the same direction
-
(tr) to pass or do better than, after catching up with
-
(tr) to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly
night overtook him
-
(tr) to catch up with; draw level with
Other Word Forms
- unovertaken adjective
Etymology
Origin of overtake
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English overtaken; over-, take
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But this is for the kids who – even if they are living in this world overtaken to authoritarianism – are not yet lost and are still energized by compassion.
From Salon
Also read: Can Google overtake Nvidia as the world’s most valuable company?
From MarketWatch
The Chargers still have designs on overtaking Denver and winning the division.
From Los Angeles Times
According to research firm Nielsen, streaming services overtook traditional TV—cable and broadcast—in total usage for the first time ever in May.
From Barron's
A burst of extra electrical energy available when drivers are within a second of the car in front to deploy power to assist with an overtake.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
