What does override mean?
Override means to set aside or act against a decision, rule, or restriction when one has the necessary authority. It is used in legal, administrative, technical, and everyday contexts to describe a decision that takes precedence over another: a supervisor may override a standard procedure, a constitutional provision may allow a leader to override a veto, or an administrator may override a computer setting. The word often conveys finality and institutional authority rather than simple disagreement. It can also mean to bypass a limitation or replace a default instruction, especially in computing. Although “overrule” is closely related, “override” is broader and is particularly common for systems, controls, and settings. The verb forms are “overrode” and “overridden,” with the present participle “overriding.”
To annul, disregard, or supersede a decision, rule, or restriction, especially by using greater authority.
"The committee voted to override the earlier recommendation."
Often used in formal or institutional contexts and frequently implies a recognized power or priority.
To replace or bypass a setting, command, or limitation, especially in computing.
"You can override the default timeout in the system settings."
This technical sense is especially common in software, electronics, and administrative systems.
An action or authority that sets aside a previous decision, setting, or restriction; a setting or instruction that takes priority over another.
"The emergency override allowed the technician to bypass the usual access controls."
Override combines two simple ideas: acting over something and riding past its resistance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of override
The word was formed in English from the prefix over- and the verb ride, in the sense of passing over or overcoming something that would otherwise stand in the way. Its early development concerned acting upon or surpassing a decision or obstacle, while the modern technological sense follows the broader idea of bypassing a restriction or replacing a programmed setting. The prefix over- has Old English roots and is shared by many English words such as overcome, overlap, and overflow.
Related word forms
How override is actually used
The word is formal and often implies a recognized authority or an established hierarchy. In computing, it commonly refers to manually replacing a default setting or bypassing a software restriction. British and American pronunciations differ mainly in the first vowel.
Easily confused with override
Overrule commonly describes a person or authority setting aside another person's decision, while override can also describe replacing a computer setting or bypassing a programmed restriction.
Override means to supersede or bypass a decision or setting, whereas overwrite means to replace existing data or text with new content.