# override

/ˈoʊvɝˌɹaɪd/ (US) · /ˌəʊvəɹˈaɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/override
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to cancel a decision

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to use your authority to change or cancel a decision that was already made.

For teachers: to use one's authority to reject or cancel a decision, view, or command made by others.

- The manager decided to override the team's choice and pick a different supplier.
- The legislature successfully gathered enough votes to override the governor's veto, allowing the new environmental bill to become law.

Usage: Often used in political or corporate contexts where a higher power cancels a lower one.

### 2. to take manual control

verb · CEFR B2

to stop an automatic system from working so you can control it yourself.

For teachers: to intervene in the operation of an automated system, typically to take manual control or to bypass a programmed safety limit.

- In an emergency, you can override the automatic doors by pulling this red handle.
- The pilot had to override the autopilot system when the sensors began providing conflicting data during the storm.

Usage: Frequently used with machines, software, and safety systems.

### 3. to be more important than

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic

to be more important than something else, so that the other thing is ignored.

For teachers: to prevail over or take precedence over another factor or consideration.

- Safety concerns should always override the need to finish the job quickly.
- The court ruled that the right to public safety must override the individual's right to privacy in this specific instance.

### 4. programming

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to write a new version of a computer instruction that replaces an older one.

For teachers: to provide a new implementation of a method in a subclass that replaces the implementation inherited from a superclass.

- The programmer had to override the default print method to include the company logo.
- By overriding the base class method, the developer ensured that the specific child object handled data validation according to its unique requirements.

### 5. a control mechanism

noun · CEFR B2

a switch or device used to take control of an automatic system.

For teachers: a device or procedure used to counteract or bypass an automatic control system.

- The technician used the manual override to open the gates during the power cut.
- The system includes a fail-safe override that allows operators to shut down the reactor if the software becomes unresponsive.

## Examples

- The manager decided to override the clerk's decision.
- The pilot had to override the autopilot system when the plane encountered unexpected turbulence.
- In many democratic systems, a legislative body can override a presidential veto if a significant majority of its members vote in favour of the proposed law.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.