over·flow
ˌō-vər-ˈflō 
overflowed; overflowing; overflows
1
: to cover with or as if with water : inundate
2
: to flow over the brim of
3
: to cause to overflow
1
: to flow over bounds
2
: to fill a space to capacity and spread beyond its limits
the crowd overflowed into the street
over·flow
ˈō-vər-ˌflō
1
: a flowing over : inundation
2
: something that flows over : surplus
3
: an outlet or receptacle for surplus liquid
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
Clara McMahon, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
In 1927, a major flood occurred, the same year as the Mississippi River overflowed its banks.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Another 21 sewage overflows were reported in Hartford and New Haven, according to state data.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overflow
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Verb
Amazon’s outlet is overflowing with steep discounts this week.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
In 1927, a major flood occurred, the same year as the Mississippi River overflowed its banks.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
Ocasio-Cortez is headlining a string of major political rallies alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), drawing overflow crowds of more than 10,000 in deep-red states like Utah, Idaho and Montana.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Another 21 sewage overflows were reported in Hartford and New Haven, according to state data.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overflow. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overflow
1 of 2 verb
over·flow
ˌō-vər-ˈflō
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
Medical Definition
overflow
noun
over·flow
ˈō-vər-ˌflō
: an excessive flow or amount
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