over-running

o·ver-run·ning

O o

Definitions of over-running word

verb with object over-running to rove over (a country, region, etc.); invade; ravage: a time when looting hordes had overrun the province. 1
verb with object over-running to swarm over in great numbers, as animals, especially vermin; infest: The house had been overrun by rats. 1
verb with object over-running to spread or grow rapidly over, as plants, especially vines, weeds, etc.: a garden overrun with weeds. 1
verb with object over-running to attack and defeat decisively, occupying and controlling the enemy's position; overwhelm. 1
verb with object over-running to spread rapidly throughout, as a new idea or spirit: a rekindling of scholarship that had overrun Europe. 1
verb with object over-running to run or go beyond, as a certain limit: The new jet overran the landing field. 1

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; Middle English overrennen, Old English oferyrnan. See over-, run

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".