verb / noun
override
oh-ver-RYDE/ˌəʊvərˈraɪd/
Setting something aside through greater authority or control.
The officer's stop signal overrides the green traffic light.
Etymology
Originally, riding over was literal, as with cavalry. The image of trampling something down became setting it aside arrogantly, then superseding it—the connection to canceling or taking control by authority.
In context
federal law enforcement is the highest they can override Tribal Police
More examples
- The legislature overrode the veto.
- A manual override opened the gate.
- The newer setting has overridden the old one.
Forms
override · overrides · overrode · overridden · overriding
Similar words
- overrule
- Set aside an earlier decision through authority.
- bypass
- Go around a control rather than necessarily cancel it.