What does overtaking mean?
Overtaking describes the act of getting past someone or something by first coming alongside or behind it and then moving ahead. The word is especially common for passing another vehicle on a road, but it also applies to competitors who move ahead in a race and to people, companies, or countries that surpass a rival. For example, a runner may overtake a leading athlete, while a business may overtake a competitor by offering better prices or faster service. The term often carries a mild sense of progress or victory, especially when the subject has worked hard to catch up. In a more figurative sense, overtaking can refer to moving ahead in statistics, rankings, technology, or historical development. Its present-participle form, also used as a gerund, makes it useful in describing actions and events.
The act of passing another person, vehicle, or competitor, or of moving ahead of a rival in achievement or ranking.
"The overtaking of the defending champion was one of the race's most exciting moments."
Often used in competitive, transport, or figurative contexts.
Used as the present participle or gerund of overtake: moving past someone or something, or surpassing a competitor or rival.
"He began overtaking cars as soon as he reached the open stretch of road."
The form functions grammatically as a present participle, with verb tense determined by the auxiliary verb used with it.
Used when referring to separate instances of passing or surpassing, especially in competition.
"The final featured several dramatic overtakings in the closing laps."
Overtaking began with a simple idea: coming up from behind and getting past, but it now describes everything from a road overtake to a leader overtaking a rival.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overtaking come from?
Overtaking comes from the verb overtake, which developed from the combination of over and take. The word originally referred to moving past someone, particularly on horseback or in a race, and later acquired broader meanings involving surpassing a competitor. Cognates and related forms include overt, which developed in the sense of open or exposed, and the inflected forms overtook and overtaken. Modern usage continues the original idea of coming up from behind and moving ahead.
Related word forms
How overtaking is actually used
Overtaking is neutral in register. In transport contexts it usually refers to passing another vehicle; in competitive and figurative contexts it means surpassing a rival, achievement, or benchmark.
Easily confused with overtaking
To overtake is to get ahead of someone, while to overcome is to succeed in dealing with a difficulty or obstacle.
To overtake is to pass or surpass, while to overwhelm means to defeat, surprise, or affect someone so strongly that they cannot respond effectively.