(overruns, overrunning; past overran; past participle overrun)
1 [with object] spread over or occupy (a place) in large numbers:the Mediterranean has been overrun by touriststhe northern frontier was overrun by invaders
move or extend over or beyond:let the text overrun the right-hand margin
run over or beyond:Rufus overran third base
rotate faster than (another part of a machine): (as adjective overrunning)an overrunning clutch
2 [no object] continue beyond or above an expected or allowed time or cost:he allowed the match to overrun by 2 minutes [with object]:he mustn’t overrun his budget
1an instance of something exceeding an expected or allowed time or cost:the cost overrun caused the company’s share price to fall
2 [mass noun] the movement or extension of something beyond an expected or allotted position:the system acts as a brake to prevent cable overrun [count noun]:the pilot thinks he is braking as hard as possible but has the risk of an overrun
[count noun] a clear area beyond the end of a runway:the aircraft crossed the overrun and rolled down an embankment
3 [mass noun] the movement of a vehicle at a speed greater than is imparted by the engine: [as modifier]:the engines have overrun fuel cut-off
