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Overran: meaning, definitions and examples

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overran

 

[ əʊvəˈræn ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

military context

To overrun means to penetrate or advance beyond the limits of a position or defense. In a military context, it often refers to the rapid capture or control of an area by forces. This can happen quickly, sometimes unexpectedly, leading to a complete dominance over an adverse position. The term may also imply an overwhelming force that surpasses the resources or capabilities of the opponent.

Synonyms

besiege, conquer, invade, overwhelm

Examples of usage

  • The enemy troops overran the base at dawn.
  • The rebels quickly overran the government forces.
  • They planned to overrun the city before reinforcements arrived.
  • Wildlife has overrun the abandoned town.
Context #2 | Verb

exceeding limits

To overrun also means to exceed or overflow a limit or boundary. This can apply to time, resources, or even physical space. For instance, if a meeting overruns, it lasts longer than scheduled. It can also refer to an abundance of something that spills over a defined area.

Synonyms

extend, overflow, spill over, surpass

Examples of usage

  • The meeting overran by half an hour.
  • The water from the river has overrun its banks.
  • The budget has been overrun, requiring a review.
  • Traffic often overruns the city roads during rush hour.

Translations

Translations of the word "overran" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ultrapassou

🇮🇳 अधिक हो जाना

🇩🇪 überlaufen

🇮🇩 melampaui

🇺🇦 переповнити

🇵🇱 przekroczyć

🇯🇵 超える

🇫🇷 dépasser

🇪🇸 sobrepasar

🇹🇷 aşmak

🇰🇷 초과하다

🇸🇦 تجاوز

🇨🇿 překročit

🇸🇰 prekročiť

🇨🇳 超过

🇸🇮 preseči

🇮🇸 yfirfara

🇰🇿 асып кету

🇬🇪 გადმოსვლა

🇦🇿 aşmaq

🇲🇽 sobrepasar

Etymology

The word 'overran' is the past tense of 'overrun', which is derived from the Middle English term 'overrinnen', meaning to run over. The prefix 'over-' suggests an excess or going beyond, while '-run' relates to the action of running or flowing. The term has its roots in Old English with 'ūfre' meaning 'over' and 'rinnan' meaning 'to run'. Historically, 'overrun' gained traction in military language to depict the rapid advance of troops into enemy territory. Over time, its usage broadened to include contexts where limits, both physical and abstract, were exceeded. The word reflects both a physical action and a more metaphorical sense of exceeding boundaries.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,501, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.