overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls

transitive verb

1
a
: to examine thoroughly
our systems of education are being constantly overhauledSaturday Rev.
b(1)
: repair
The mechanic overhauled the engine.
(2)
: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
2
: to haul or drag over
3
: overtake
The most imposing U.S. swimmer was overhauled by a 17-year-old Australian in the butterfly race.
overhaul noun

Examples of overhaul in a Sentence

The mechanic overhauled the car's engine. They had to overhaul their original plans. Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Barr spent most of his tenure pushing for a set of rules that would have drastically hiked big bank capital requirements by overhauling how firms measure risk, but intense industry opposition ultimately saw that effort subside and remain unfinished. Pete Schroeder, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 Whether or not the clause should be overhauled has been a big part of the fiscal debate ahead of the election. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025 The entire roster needs to be overhauled in an offseason where everyone in the organization knows the team’s executives and coaches are on unstable footing. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025 If this interpretation holds, employers may need to overhaul their hiring processes, splitting screening procedures into multiple phases to avoid premature criminal history inquiries. Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overhaul

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhaul was in 1705

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Cite this Entry

“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

overhaul

verb
over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
2
overhaul noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overhaul

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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