overflight

UK: /ˈəʊvəflaɪt/ US: (ō′vər flīt′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

o•ver•flight  (ō′vər flīt′), n. 

1. Aeronautics, Transport an air flight that passes over a specific area, country, or territory:
   Overflights of foreign aircraft are closely monitored.

• 1590–1600 as pertaining to the flight of birds; 1955–60 for current sense; over- + flight¹

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

o•ver•fly /ˌoʊvɚˈflaɪ/   v. [~ + object] , -flew, -flown, -fly•ing. 

1. Aeronautics to fly over (a specified area, country, etc.):
   The plane lost its way and overflew enemy territory.
2. Aeronautics to fly farther than or beyond;
   overshoot.

o•ver•flight, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

o•ver•fly  (ō′vər flī′), v., -flew, -flown, -fly•ing. 
v.t. 

1. Aeronautics to fly over (a specified area, territory, country, etc.):
   The plane lost its way and overflew foreign territory.
2. Aeronautics to fly farther than or beyond;
   overshoot.
3. Aeronautics to fly over or past instead of making a scheduled stop:
   to overfly Philadelphia because of bad weather.

v.i. 

4. Aeronautics to fly over a particular territory, country, etc.:
   The plane approached the border but never overflew.

• over- + fly¹ 1550–60