OVER definition: above in place or position. See examples of over used in a sentence.

We use over as a preposition and an adverb to refer to something at a higher position than something else, sometimes involving movement from one side to another: …

If someone or something goes over a barrier, obstacle, or boundary, they get to the other side of it by going across it, or across the top of it. I stepped over a broken piece of wood. Nearly one …

Over is related to the German word über, meaning "above," like putting one piece of paper over another, or a ruling over your school, you popular person. Over can describe a distant position: …

Definition of over adverb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

above and to the other side of: to leap over a wall. above in authority, rank, power, etc., so as to govern, control, or have jurisdiction regarding: There is no one over her in the department now.

Define over. over synonyms, over pronunciation, over translation, English dictionary definition of over. prep. 1. In or at a position above or higher than: a sign over the door; a hawk gliding over …

OVER meaning: 1 : in an upward and forward direction across something; 2 : downward from an upright position

Jan 2, 2026 · When used in the sense "from one location to another", over implies that the two places are at approximately the same height or the height difference is not relevant.

There are 42 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word over, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.