overdraw

verb

over·​draw ˌō-vər-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce overdraw (audio)
overdrew ˌō-vər-ˈdrü How to pronounce overdraw (audio) ; overdrawn ˌō-vər-ˈdrȯn How to pronounce overdraw (audio) ; overdrawing

transitive verb

1
: to draw checks on (a bank account) for more than the balance
the account was overdrawn
2

Examples of overdraw in a Sentence

She overdrew her account by $100. commentators have overdrawn the dangers of the sport in order to make it appear more exciting
Recent Examples on the Web Overdraft fees are charged by banks and credit unions that temporarily cover a transaction when consumers overdraw their accounts. The Arizona Republic, 11 Feb. 2024 Unexpected bills can result in overdraft fees of about $25 each time an account is overdrawn. Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2024 Banks could also provide small lines of credit to allow customers to overdraw their accounts, a service that would operate like a credit card. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2024 And Cheadle’s power was shut off in November, requiring her to overdraw her checking account to pay for it. Michael Brice-Saddler, Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2024 The water agency hired hydrologists and other consultants, who concluded that the aquifer was severely overdrawn and could be lost entirely to saltwater. Coral Davenport, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023 However, the leading theory is that the landfill’s gas extraction wells may have overdrawn methane and other gases, inadvertently introducing oxygen deep inside the landfill’s well system. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023 No one suggests that the banks shouldn’t charge fees for specific services, such as for maintaining customers’ checking or banking accounts or overdrawing their accounts or stopping payment on checks. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023 Last September, for example, a Nevada resident pleaded with the CFPB to intervene after Check ’n Go allegedly withdrew money from their bank account without permission, leaving them overdrawn by $460. Tony Romm, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overdraw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdraw was in 1710

Dictionary Entries Near overdraw

Cite this Entry

“Overdraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdraw. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overdraw

verb
over·​draw ˌō-vər-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce overdraw (audio)
overdrew -ˈdrü How to pronounce overdraw (audio) ; overdrawn -ˈdrȯn How to pronounce overdraw (audio) ; overdrawing
1
: to draw checks on (a bank account) for more than the balance in it
2

Legal Definition

overdraw

verb
over·​draw ˌō-vər-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce overdraw (audio)
overdrew -ˈdrü How to pronounce overdraw (audio) ; overdrawn -ˈdrȯn How to pronounce overdraw (audio) ; overdrawing

transitive verb

: to draw checks on (a bank account) for more than the balance

intransitive verb

: to make an overdraft

More from Merriam-Webster on overdraw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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