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overspill

American  
[oh-ver-spil, oh-ver-spil] / ˌoʊ vərˈspɪl, ˈoʊ vərˌspɪl /

verb (used without object)

overspilled, overspilt, overspilling
  1. to spill over.


noun

  1. the act of spilling over.

  2. something that spills over.

  3. British. overflow.

overspill British  

noun

    1. something that spills over or is in excess

    2. ( as modifier )

      overspill population

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to overflow

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of overspill

First recorded in 1850–55; over- + spill 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Park officials said Sunday that the Lower and North Pines Campgrounds and the Housekeeping Camp will be shut over fears that waterways could overspill their banks.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2023

The room and the overspill viewing area in the lobby were at capacity.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2022

The zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-1 has been firmly established by research that also showed that the bat sarbecoviruses pose a clear and present danger of pandemic overspill from bats to humans.

From Scientific American • Feb. 18, 2022

This is an overspill gadget from my bedroom desk because it is kind of delicate.

From The Verge • Jul. 17, 2021

On the edge of the field stood a little pump house, and a willow tree flourished beside it, fed by the overspill of water.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck