overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbȯrd How to pronounce overboard (audio)
1
: over the side of a ship or boat into the water
2
: to extremes of enthusiasm
3
: into discard : aside

Examples of overboard in a Sentence

He threw the fish overboard. The boy fell overboard and almost drowned. One of the sailors fell into the water, and someone shouted “Man overboard!”.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Video shows thick black smoke engulfing the Mutiara Sentosa 2 as panicked passengers crowd the decks, some leaping overboard to escape the flames. — Trisnadi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Starship released the Starlink V3s using its Pez-like deployer, tossing them overboard through a slit-like opening on the side of the spacecraft. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026 Because the color mashup makes a bold statement on its own, there’s no need to go overboard with accessories; ivory pumps and a matching purse work wonders here. — Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 23 July 2026 At the Boston Tea Party Ships, all three children got to hurl crates of tea overboard into the harbor. — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overboard

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Phrases Containing overboard

Rhymes for overboard

See All Rhymes for overboard

Browse Nearby Words

overblown
overboard
overboil
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overboard. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overboard

adverb
over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbō(ə)rd How to pronounce overboard (audio)
-ˌbȯ(ə)rd
1
: over the side of a ship into the water
2
: to extremes of enthusiasm
go overboard for a new fad

More from Merriam-Webster on overboard

Nglish: Translation of overboard for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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