overwrite

verb

over·​write ˌō-vər-ˈrīt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
overwrote ˌō-vər-ˈrōt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
 ; overwritten ˌō-vər-ˈri-tᵊn How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
 ; overwriting ˌō-vər-ˈrī-tiŋ How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-

transitive verb

1
: to write over the surface of
2
: to write in inflated or overly elaborate style
3
: to replace information in (a computer file) with new information

intransitive verb

: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style

Examples of overwrite in a Sentence

The author has a tendency to overwrite.
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.
The cockpit voice recorders in the plane that capture conversations between pilots retain only the most recent two hours of audio, and by the time the NTSB requested the black boxes, the audio from the close call had already been overwritten. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 The memo said that Venezuelan government officials developed the capability to manipulate electronic voting systems in their own elections, including replicating and overwriting voting data to make fraudulent votes legitimate. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 17 July 2026 That data can be overwritten within days if a formal preservation request is not sent to the carrier quickly. — Karen Koehler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 That assumes that Congress can overwrite a constitutional right in the 14th Amendment that’s now clearly established by precedent. — John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwrite

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overwrite was in 1820

Rhymes for overwrite

See All Rhymes for overwrite

Browse Nearby Words

overwrap
overwrite
overwrought
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

overwrite

verb
over·​write ˌō-və(r)-ˈrīt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
overwrote -ˈrōt How to pronounce overwrite (audio) ; overwritten -ˈrit-ᵊn How to pronounce overwrite (audio) ; overwriting -ˈrīt-iŋ How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
1
: to write over the surface of : write on top of
2
: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style
overwritten accounts of everyday events

More from Merriam-Webster on overwrite

Nglish: Translation of overwrite for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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