overflow

1 of 2

verb

over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
overflowed; overflowing; overflows

transitive verb

1
: to cover with or as if with water : inundate
2
: to flow over the brim of
3
: to cause to overflow

intransitive verb

1
: to flow over bounds
2
: to fill a space to capacity and spread beyond its limits
the crowd overflowed into the street

overflow

2 of 2

noun

over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
1
: a flowing over : inundation
2
: something that flows over : surplus
3
: an outlet or receptacle for surplus liquid

Examples of overflow in a Sentence

Verb The river overflowed its banks. The creek overflows every spring. The water in the tub overflowed. Books and papers overflowed his desk. The paragraph overflowed the page. Noun a great overflow of water from the heavy rains swept mud and silt down onto the highway an overflow of help actually made the job more complicated
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Glossy mailers overflowed in mailboxes, and TV ads filled the airwaves touting candidates in the 16th district race over the last several months. Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 City residents have complained to the city for years about overflowing storm drains and flood channels that are packed with trash and vegetation, including full-grown trees. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 Amazon’s sale section is overflowing with tons of new deals to shop this month — pick up our favorite finds while discounts last. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 But inside, personality overflows in a wide array of different, bright colors, including turquoise, orange sherbet, deep and hot pinks, and even lemon. Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024 Rafah's prewar population of roughly 280,000 swelled to 1.4 million in a span of months as people crammed into overflowing shelters and sprawling tent encampments to avoid the escalating combat. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 In the Santa Monica Mountains, State Route 27 is closed from Topanga Canyon School Road to Robinson Road indefinitely by overflowing waters from Topanga Creek. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Despite planning out my outfits for every day and night of the trip, my carry-on suitcase was overflowing. Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2024 Tables overflowed with a cascade of sweet-smelling white flowers and candles. Elizabeth Taylor, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024
Noun
This is broadly similar to traditional SQL injection and buffer overflow attacks, the researchers say. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024 Once the final vote was tallied and the results were shown on screens inside the room, the protesters — who numbered in the hundreds between the main chamber and overflow room — rallied in the building’s fourth-floor corridor. Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Fixing the vulnerability involves more than just excising the buffer overflow from the shim code. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2024 Basically, that means there could be an overflow of carbon dioxide gas, and all that pressure building up could cause a bottle to rupture, Dr. Thompson-Witrick says. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 25 Jan. 2024 Sometimes, doctors have to put overflow beds in the hallways to care for Jackson’s steady stream of patients, officials said Tuesday at a news conference. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024 The 6-2 point guard had 25 points, including a straightaway bucket from just inside the arc with 47 seconds left in a 59-53 win over Brophy Prep before an overflow crowd Wednesday. 3. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 8 Jan. 2024 Salesian captured its first North Coast Section Open Division championship, prevailing 52-43 before an overflow crowd at Contra Costa College. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024 The next phase will connect the existing sewer overflow points to the major underground tunnel storage system. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overflow.' 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

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overflow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near overflow

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

overflow

1 of 2 verb
over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
1
: to cover with or as if with water : inundate
2
: to flow over the brim or top of
the river overflowed its banks
3
: to flow over bounds
the creek overflows every spring
4
: to fill a space up and spread beyond its limits
the paragraph overflowed the page

overflow

2 of 2 noun
over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
1
: a flowing over : flood
2
: something that flows over : surplus
3
: an outlet or container for liquid that overflows

Medical Definition

overflow

noun
over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
: an excessive flow or amount

More from Merriam-Webster on overflow

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