overdrive

UK: /ˈəʊvə^rdraɪv/

US: /ˈoʊvɚˌdraɪv/

US: (v. ō′vər drīv′; n. ō′vər drīv′)

Inflections of 'overdrive' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

overdrives

v 3rd person singular

overdriving

v pres p

overdrove

v past

overdriven

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

o•ver•drive /ˈoʊvɚˌdraɪv/   n. 

[uncountable]
1. Mechanical Engineering a device in a motor vehicle containing a gear that provides a drive shaft speed greater than the engine crankshaft speed.
2. Informal Terms a state of great activity or productivity:
   We went into overdrive to finish the project on time.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

o•ver•drive  (v. ō′vər drīv′;n. ō′vər drīv′), v., -drove, -driv•en, -driv•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to push or carry to excess;
   overwork.
2. to drive too hard.

n. 

3. [Mach., Auto.] a device containing a gear set at such ratio and arrangement as to provide a drive shaft speed greater than the engine crankshaft speed.
4. Informal Terms an intense state of activity or productivity:
   The political campaign has shifted into overdrive.

• bef. 950; Middle English overdriven to cover over, overpower; Old English oferdrīfan to drive away, overthrow. See over-, drive

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

overdrive noun / ˈəʊvəˌdraɪv/

1. a very high gear in a motor vehicle used at high speeds to reduce wear and save fuel

verb / ˌəʊvəˈdraɪv/ ( -drives, -driving, -drove, -driven)

1. (transitive) to drive too hard or too far; overwork or overuse