What does overrunning mean?
Overrunning means going beyond a limit, whether that limit concerns time, space, capacity, money, or an expected amount of work. The phrase overrunning the deadline describes a project that has taken longer than planned, while overrunning a budget means spending more than was authorized. In computing, the same word can describe data that exceeds an allocated buffer or other boundary. Overrunning can also describe people or problems overwhelming a group: an office may be overrun with requests, or an event may be overrun by visitors. In a botanical context, overrunning describes vegetation that spreads beyond its intended area. The word is the present participle of overrun, formed from over- and run, and it appears widely in practical, professional, and technical English.
To run or extend beyond a limit, such as a deadline, budget, boundary, or capacity; to overwhelm with work or problems.
"The repairs overran the available budget and delayed the project."
The present participle and gerund of overrun. It is common with limits such as budget, deadline, capacity, and time.
Extending or spreading excessively beyond an intended area or limit.
"The overrunning vines covered the entire garden wall."
Most often used of vegetation or physical growth, though it can also describe a process or system that has exceeded an allocated limit.
A tiny delay can become a major problem when it overruns the schedule: the word captures the moment when a limit stops being a boundary and becomes a starting point for more work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overrunning come from?
Overrunning is formed by combining the prefix over- with run, in the sense of extending beyond a boundary or continuing beyond an expected limit. The compound form overrun developed in Middle English and later became a standard verb, with overrunning serving as its present participle and gerund. Related forms include rerun and outrun, which use the same verbal root with different prefixes.
Related word forms
How overrunning is actually used
As a verb form, overrunning is the present participle and gerund of overrun and is common in both formal and informal English. As an adjective, it is especially associated with vegetation or things spreading beyond their intended area. In technical contexts, it can describe a process or system that exceeds an allocated limit.
Easily confused with overrunning
Overrunning usually emphasizes going beyond a limit or continuing longer than expected, whereas overflowing often specifically refers to a container or system exceeding its capacity.