Overflow

Pronunciation

• RP
• (noun) enPR: ōʹvÉ™-flō', IPA: /ˈəʊvəˌfləʊ/
• (verb) enPR: ō'vÉ™-flōʹ, IPA: /ˌəʊvəˈfləʊ/
• GenAm
• (noun) enPR: ōʹvÉ™r-flō', IPA: /ˈoÊŠvɚˌfloÊŠ/
• (verb) enPR: ō'vÉ™r-flōʹ, IPA: /ËŒoÊŠvɚˈfloÊŠ/
• Rhymes: -əʊ

Origin

From - + flow.

Literally corresponds to superfluous, which is from Latin, rather than Germanic.

Full definition of overflow

Noun

1. The spillage resultant from overflow; excess.
2. Outlet for escape of excess material.
3. (computing) The situation where a value exceeds the available numeric range.

Derived terms

• overflow hole

Verb

1. (transitive) To flow over the brim of (a container).The river overflowed the levee.
2. (transitive) To cover with a liquid, literally or figuratively.The flash flood overflowed most of the park land and some homes.
3. (transitive) To cause an overflow.
4. (intransitive) To flow over the edge of a container.The waters overflowed into the Ninth Ward.
5. (intransitive) To exceed limits or capacity.The hospital ER was overflowing with flu cases.
1. (computing, ambitransitive) To exceed the available numeric range.Calculating 255+1 will overflow an eight-bit byte.
6. (intransitive) To be superabundant; to abound.

Derived terms

• buffer overflow
• underflow