What does overhaul mean?
Overhaul means to repair, renovate, or improve something thoroughly, or, in a more abstract sense, to examine something and make substantial changes to it. The word is especially common in reference to machinery, vehicles, ships, buildings, systems, and policies. An overhaul suggests work on a broad scale, not a quick adjustment: a company may overhaul its software, a government may overhaul its tax system, or mechanics may overhaul an engine. In its noun form, an overhaul is the process of comprehensively repairing, revising, or improving something. The expression “a complete overhaul” is particularly common and emphasizes the scale of the work. The verb has been in use since the 16th century, initially in a nautical context, and later broadened to cover mechanical, administrative, and textual revision.
To repair or renovate something extensively; to examine and make substantial changes to a system, organization, process, or text.
"The council is overhauling the procedure used to review planning applications."
Often implies comprehensive work involving inspection as well as repair or revision.
A comprehensive repair, renovation, examination, or revision of something.
"The aircraft underwent a complete overhaul before returning to service."
Common in the fixed expression “a complete overhaul.”
The plural is used when referring to separate repairs, renovations, or major revisions.
"The company completed several overhauls of its aging production equipment."
From the language of shipbuilding, overhaul began as the painstaking process of pulling a vessel apart for inspection and repair.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overhaul come from?
Overhaul is formed from over- and haul. Its earliest nautical use referred to examining and repairing a ship by hauling it apart or lifting its parts for inspection; by extension, the word came to mean a thorough examination and repair. The verb later expanded beyond ships to machinery and then to systems, organizations, and texts. The related word haul continues to refer to pulling or dragging something with effort.
Related word forms
How overhaul is actually used
Overhaul is common in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies extensive work rather than minor repairs or adjustments, and it is frequently used for systems, institutions, policies, and procedures as well as physical objects.