over·ride
ˌō-vər-ˈrīd 
ˌō-və-
overrode
ˌō-vər-ˈrōd
ˌō-və-
; overridden
ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn
ˌō-və-
; overriding
ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ
ˌō-və-
1
: to ride over or across : trample
overrode the thin line of defenders
2
: to ride (an animal, such as a horse) too much or too hard
3
a
: to prevail over : dominate
panic overrode everything else—
Marcia Davenport
Marcia Davenport
b
: to set aside : annul
override a veto
the rights of the individual were being flagrantly overridden—C. L. Jones
C. L. Jones
c
: to neutralize the action of (something, such as an automatic control)
You must enter a code to override the alarm.
4
: to extend or pass over
over·ride
ˈō-vər-ˌrīd
ˈō-və-
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
2
3
: a device or system used to override a control
4
: an act or an instance of overriding
Examples of override in a Sentence
Verb
Congress overrode the President's veto.
These new rules override the old ones.
Don't let anger override common sense.
You must enter a code to override the alarm.
She overrode the default settings on her computer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Jan. 2025
This season has unfolded in fits and starts, with flashes of familiarity overridden by a sense of drift.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025
However, opponents of the plan persuaded a local judge last spring to agree to remove the override language, creating a dilemma for county officials.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for override 
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Verb
However, an executive order can’t override a statute, meaning a conflicting executive order on TikTok could spark other legal challenges.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Jan. 2025
This season has unfolded in fits and starts, with flashes of familiarity overridden by a sense of drift.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
Cooper issued 328 executive orders and stamped a record 104 vetoes, 52 of which were overturned by override votes – more of those including a vote from Democrats than coming back only Republicans.
—Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025
However, opponents of the plan persuaded a local judge last spring to agree to remove the override language, creating a dilemma for county officials.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for override
Articles Related to override
Dictionary Entries Near override
Cite this Entry
“Override.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/override. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
override
1 of 2 transitive verb
over·ride
ˌō-vər-ˈrīd
1
: to prevail or take precedence over
if, as is often the case, federal constitutional principles override state statutory or common law—H. P. Wilkins
H. P. Wilkins2
: to set aside by virtue of superior authority
overrode the jury's sentencing recommendation
override
2 of 2 noun
over·ride
ˈō-vər-ˌrīd
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
called also override commission
2
: royalty
3
: an act or instance of overriding
a legislative override
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