Definition

1. Verb:

   • To use one's authority to reject or annul a decision, rule, or argument: To officially decide against or cancel something, often because one has higher authority.
   • To be more important than something else; to take precedence: To have such importance or power that it supersedes other factors or considerations.
   • To interrupt the action of an automatic device by taking manual control: To take over the function of an automatic system.

2. Noun:

   • The act of nullifying or overriding: An instance where a decision or rule is officially canceled or superseded by a higher authority.
   • A device or mechanism for manual control: A switch or control that allows a person to take over from an automatic system.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • The president can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote. (The president can use authority to cancel the veto.)
  • Safety concerns must override all other priorities in this project. (Safety concerns must be considered more important than other priorities.)
  • The pilot had to override the autopilot to avoid the storm. (The pilot had to take manual control from the automatic system.)

• Noun:

  • The congressional override of the veto was a historic event. (The act of Congress canceling the veto was historic.)
  • Press this button for a manual override of the security system. (Press this button to take manual control of the system.)

Advanced Usage

• "To override a decision/objection": To formally reject or set aside a previous decision or someone's objection.
  • The committee voted to override the earlier decision.
• "To have override authority": To possess the official power to cancel or change decisions made by others.
  • The director has override authority on all budget matters.

Variants and Related Words

• Overrode (verb): Simple past tense of 'override'.
  • The court overrode the lower court's ruling.
• Overridden (verb): Past participle of 'override'.
  • The governor's veto has been overridden by the legislature.
• Overriding (adjective): More important than any other considerations; principal.
  • The overriding goal is to ensure public safety.

Synonyms

• Overrule: To reject or disallow by exercising superior authority.
• Supersede: To take the place of something, often because it is newer or more important.
• Nullify: To make something legally null and void; to cancel out.
• Countermand: To revoke or cancel an order or command.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: 'Override' is not typically used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is contained within the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "The buck stops here" / "To have the final say": These idioms relate to the concept of ultimate authority implied by 'override', meaning the power to make a final, unchallenged decision.
  • As CEO, she has the final say; she can override any departmental decision.

Noun

1. the act of nullifying; making null and void; counteracting or overriding the effect or force of something
2. a manually operated device to correct the operation of an automatic device

Verb

1. ride (a horse) too hard
2. counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle)
3. prevail over
   • health considerations override financial concerns
4. rule against
   • The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill