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overview

n. · v.
US //ˈoʊvɝvˌju// UK //ˈəʊvəvjˌuː// over·view
  1. 1 a summary (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a short description that gives the main facts about something.

    a general summary or outline of a subject, providing a broad perspective without exhaustive detail.

    Example

    The first chapter of the book gives a helpful overview of the country's history.

    Example

    The executive provided a strategic overview of the company's performance, highlighting key growth areas while omitting specific departmental figures.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of'.
  2. 2 view from above (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a view of a place from a high position looking down.

    a literal physical survey or view from an elevated vantage point.

    Example

    From the top of the mountain, we had a perfect overview of the valley below.

    Example

    The drone footage offered a unique overview of the archaeological site, revealing patterns in the landscape invisible from the ground.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern English, 'view' or 'panorama' is much more common for physical sight; 'overview' is almost always used for information summaries.
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  1. 3 to summarise (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Academic

    to give a short description of the main points of something.

    to provide a summary or a general survey of a topic. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    In this presentation, I will overview the main findings of our research.

    Example

    The report overviews the legislative changes enacted over the last decade, though it stops short of recommending specific reforms.

    Usage

    The verb form is significantly less common than the noun form and is typically found in academic or professional contexts.
Origin

From over- + view.

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