American English

Definition of overrun verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary



    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they overrun
    he / she / it overruns
    past simple overran
    past participle overrun
    -ing form overrunning
    jump to other results
  1. 1[transitive, often passive] overrun something (especially of something bad or not wanted) to fill or spread over an area quickly, especially in large numbers The house was completely overrun with mice. Enemy soldiers had overrun the island. The tiny village was overrun by tourists.
  2. 2[intransitive, transitive] to take more time or money than was intended Her lectures never overrun. overrun something You've overrun your time by 10 minutes.
noun a cost overrun