overtake

[ oh-ver-teyk ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈteɪk /

verb (used with object), o·ver·took, o·ver·tak·en, o·ver·tak·ing.

to catch up with in traveling or pursuit; draw even with: By taking a cab to the next town, we managed to overtake and board the train.
to catch up with and pass, as in a race; move by: He overtook the leader three laps from the finish.
to move ahead of in achievement, production, score, etc.; surpass: to overtake all other countries in steel production.
to happen to or befall someone suddenly or unexpectedly, as night, a storm, or death: The pounding rainstorm overtook them just outside the city.

verb (used without object), o·ver·took, o·ver·tak·en, o·ver·tak·ing.

to pass another vehicle: Never overtake on a curve.

Origin of overtake

1175–1225; Middle English overtaken; see over-, take

OTHER WORDS FROM overtake

un·o·ver·tak·en, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for overtake

British Dictionary definitions for overtake

overtake
/ (ˌəʊvəˈteɪk) /

verb -takes, -taking, -took or -taken

mainly British to move past (another vehicle or person) travelling in the same direction
(tr) to pass or do better than, after catching up with
(tr) to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly night overtook him
(tr) to catch up with; draw level with