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
Synonyms
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
Stephanie Petit, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Donation sites are overflowing with goods and turning away volunteers.
—Kate Lavelle, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Some had seats in the overflow room, while others planned to watch the inauguration from their lawmaker’s office.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overflow 
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Verb
Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Donation sites are overflowing with goods and turning away volunteers.
—Kate Lavelle, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
The Los Angeles Dodgers have an overflow of relievers in the bullpen after signing Kirby Yates.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Some had seats in the overflow room, while others planned to watch the inauguration from their lawmaker’s office.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overflow
Dictionary Entries Near overflow
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overflow. Accessed 13 Feb. 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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