overflow

1 of 2

verb

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

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

Synonyms of overflow

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
Verb
These new provisions have been met with skepticism from human rights groups, including fears that deportation centers hosted abroad could morph into long-term holding facilities overflowing with asylum seekers stuck in legal limbo. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 Sports bars and restaurants overflowed with customers who drank beer taps dry. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
Mangione's attorneys are also seeking details on what efforts were made to secure an overflow courtroom and are requesting that the proceedings be broadcast live, as there isn't currently an overflow room. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026 In Citrus County, where a small town was slated to play host to Florida’s first hyperscale data center, opponents of the project packed the commission and exceeded its overflow room, the Tampa Bay Times reported. — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overflow

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

Rhymes for overflow

See All Rhymes for overflow

Browse Nearby Words

overflood
overflow
overflow bug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overflow. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of overflow for Spanish Speakers

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