v. t. [ imp. Overran p. p. Overrun; p. pr. & vb. n. Overrunning. ] 1. To run over; to grow or spread over in excess; to invade and occupy; to take possession of; as, the vine overran its trellis; the farm is overrun with witch grass. [ 1913 Webster ] Those barbarous nations that overran the world. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To exceed in distance or speed of running; to go beyond or pass in running. [ 1913 Webster ] Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi. 2 Sam. xviii. 23. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To go beyond; to extend in part beyond; as, one line overruns another in length. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ In machinery, a sliding piece is said to overrun its bearing when its forward end goes beyond it. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To abuse or oppress, as if by treading upon. [ 1913 Webster ] None of them the feeble overran. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Print.) (a) To carry over, or back, as type, from one line or page into the next after, or next before. (b) To extend the contents of (a line, column, or page) into the next line, column, or page. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
