overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls

transitive verb

1
a
: to examine thoroughly
our systems of education are being constantly overhauledSaturday Rev.
b(1)
: repair
The mechanic overhauled the engine.
(2)
: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
2
: to haul or drag over
3
: overtake
The most imposing U.S. swimmer was overhauled by a 17-year-old Australian in the butterfly race.
overhaul noun

Examples of overhaul in a Sentence

The mechanic overhauled the car's engine. They had to overhaul their original plans. Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
Recent Examples on the Web The Science of Reading Movement What to Know: An effort to overhaul how children learn to read, known as the science of reading, is sweeping the United States. Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Along with overhauling her own home in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon, she’s worked on several projects around the country. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024 In the weeks and months after that costly, pointless election, lawmakers in Sacramento considered ways to overhaul the recall process, which has aged poorly since its conception more than a century ago. Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 Their latest effort, Proposition 1, which will be on the March 5 ballot, would overhaul the state’s mental health system to firmly link it to housing. Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024 Buttigieg cast the proposal as part of his broader push to overhaul the airline passenger experience – including changes to fees and seating for families – and a specific focus on wheelchairs. Gregory Wallace, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Tolbert overhauled his hitting approach and headed to Australia to gain more at-bats ahead of the 2023 season. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2024 Finally, Sennheiser has overhauled the design of the TW4 ear tips. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 And last month, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas unveiled the California Retail Theft Reduction Act, which could be passed without a ballot measure to overhaul Prop. 47. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024

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

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhaul was in 1705

Dictionary Entries Near overhaul

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

overhaul

verb
over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
2
overhaul noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overhaul

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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