Override — Meaning, Definition & Examples

Definition

1. To use authority to reject a previous decision.
2. To be more important than something else.
3. To switch a machine from automatic to manual control.
4. A device that allows manual control over an automatic system.

Context Alive

The committee voted against the proposal, but the director wasn’t satisfied. He used his authority to override their decision and push the project forward anyway. Some members were furious, but there was nothing they could do about it.

Meanings

4 meanings

1 To Use Authority to Reject a Decision (Verb) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about someone with power refusing to accept a decision made by others. Imagine a school board votes to cancel the arts program, but the principal overrides the decision because she believes music and art are essential for students. This is using your authority to say “no, we’re doing it my way.” You might hear “the president’s veto was overridden by Congress” or someone could say “my manager overrides every suggestion I make.” Or picture a judge whose ruling is overridden by a higher court that disagrees with the original verdict. The word carries a sense of power and control over others’ choices. ✏️ Override is stronger than “disagree” — it means actually canceling or reversing someone else’s decision, not just having a different opinion.

Vivid Example

The safety team recommended shutting down production immediately. But the factory manager overrode their recommendation and kept the machines running. Two days later, the problem they warned about caused a serious accident.

2 To Be More Important Than Something Else (Verb) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about one thing taking priority over another — being so important that everything else becomes secondary. Imagine a doctor who has dinner plans with friends, but then a patient calls with an emergency. Her duty to help overrides her personal plans, so she cancels dinner without hesitation. This is when something matters so much that it pushes everything else aside. You might say “safety concerns override everything else” or someone could explain “her love for her children overrode her fear.” Or think about a soldier whose training overrides panic in a dangerous situation — the instinct to follow protocol takes over. The word suggests dominance of one priority over another. ✏️ The adjective “overriding” is very common — “the overriding concern” or “the overriding priority” means the single most important thing above all others.

Vivid Example

She had always dreamed of studying abroad. But her responsibility to care for her sick mother overrode that dream without a second thought. Some decisions in life make themselves when love is involved.

3 To Switch a Machine from Automatic to Manual Control (Verb) Common ▼

This meaning is about taking personal control of a machine or system that normally operates on its own. Imagine a pilot flying on autopilot when suddenly the system starts behaving strangely. He overrides the autopilot and takes manual control of the plane to keep everyone safe. This is stepping in to control something that was running automatically. You might hear “the engineer overrode the system to prevent a shutdown” or someone could say “you can override the thermostat if the room gets too cold.” Or picture a self-driving car where the driver grabs the wheel to override the computer because it didn’t see an obstacle ahead. The word suggests human judgment replacing automatic operation. ✏️ This meaning is very common in technology — overriding a system means manually taking charge when the automatic settings aren’t working properly.

Vivid Example

The building’s heating system kept turning off in the middle of winter. The maintenance team had to override the faulty sensor and set the temperature manually. Within an hour, the offices were warm again and everyone could finally concentrate.

4 A Device or System for Manual Control (Noun) Common ▼

This meaning is about the actual mechanism or feature that lets you take manual control of an automatic system. Imagine a fire alarm system in a hospital — there’s a manual override built in so staff can control the doors and ventilation themselves during an emergency. This is the thing itself, the button or switch or feature that gives you that power. You might read “the heating system has a manual override” or someone could ask “is there an override for the automatic lock?” Or think about a factory where every robot on the production line has an emergency override in case something goes wrong. The word describes the tool or feature that allows human intervention. ✏️ You’ll almost always hear this as “manual override” — the two words go together naturally in both everyday and technical speech.

Vivid Example

The elevator got stuck between floors with three people inside. Luckily, the technician knew where the emergency override was located. She activated it within minutes and brought the elevator safely down to the ground floor.

Examples from the Street

“The manager overrode my decision without even telling me.”

The manager cancelled what I’d decided and replaced it with her own choice, without informing me

“You can override the automatic settings if you want to do it manually.”

You can take control away from the automatic system and make the adjustments yourself

“Safety concerns override everything else — no exceptions.”

Safety is more important than any other consideration and takes priority over all of them

Common Patterns

override a decision/ruling/veto → formally cancel or reverse someone else’s decision using greater authority

override someone’s authority → use higher power to cancel what someone has decided

override someone’s wishes/objections → go against what someone wants, using power or authority to do so

the right/power to override → the formal authority to cancel or reverse decisions

be overridden (by someone/something) → have your decision or authority cancelled by a higher power

cannot be overridden → impossible to cancel or reverse

override everything/all other considerations → be more important than anything else

safety/security overrides (other concerns) → protection takes precedence over competing interests

override common sense/instinct/emotion → push past what feels natural or logical, often deliberately

personal feelings shouldn’t override professional judgement → emotions shouldn’t take priority over rational decisions

override the system/settings/controls → bypass automatic functions and take manual control

override a lock/alarm/safety feature → disable or bypass a security mechanism

a manual override → a way to take direct control when automatic systems fail or aren’t suitable

an override code/switch/button → a specific mechanism designed to bypass normal settings

Collocations

3 collocations

override a decision

cancel or reverse someone else's choice

override the system

take manual control from an automatic process

override concerns

dismiss worries in favour of action

Example Sentences

12 examples

1

The head teacher overrode the department’s decision and changed the exam schedule without consulting anyone

The school principal cancelled what the subject team had agreed on and altered the testing timetable without asking for their input.

2

Parliament voted to override the president’s veto and pass the law anyway

The legislature voted in sufficient numbers to cancel the leader’s rejection and approve the legislation regardless.

3

In an emergency, a pilot can override the autopilot and fly the plane manually

In a crisis situation, the person flying the aircraft can take direct control away from the computer system and steer the plane by hand.

4

I understand your frustration, but company policy overrides personal preference in this case

I appreciate that you’re annoyed, but the organisation’s rules take priority over individual choice in this situation.

5

The software has a manual override that lets you adjust the temperature yourself

The programme includes a feature allowing you to bypass the automatic controls and set the heat level on your own.

6

She wanted to say something, but her fear of confrontation overrode her desire to speak up

She felt the urge to voice her thoughts, but her anxiety about conflict was stronger than her wish to express herself.

7

No single manager should have the power to override a decision made by the entire board

No individual boss should possess the authority to cancel a choice that was agreed upon by all the directors together.

8

His objections were overridden by the majority, and the project went ahead as planned

His protests were dismissed by the larger group, who had more power, and the initiative continued exactly as originally intended.

9

You’ll need an override code to access the building after midnight

You’ll require a special security number that bypasses the normal lock settings to get into the premises after twelve o’clock at night.

10

Instinct told her to run, but training overrode that impulse and she stayed calm

Her natural reaction was to flee, but the preparation she’d received was stronger than that urge and she maintained her composure.

Learner Examples

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A teacher’s professional judgement should override rigid curriculum guidelines when it’s clear that a class needs a different approach

An educator’s expert assessment should take priority over strict course requirements when it’s obvious that a group of students would benefit from a change in method.

★

Exam anxiety often overrides everything students have learned — they know the material, but nerves take control and they can’t perform

Test-related stress frequently overpowers all the knowledge learners have built up — they’re familiar with the content, but tension dominates and they’re unable to show what they can do.