overhaul

[ verb oh-ver-hawl, oh-ver-hawl; noun oh-ver-hawl ]
See synonyms for overhaul on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to make necessary repairs on; restore to serviceable condition: My car was overhauled by an expert mechanic.

  2. to investigate or examine thoroughly for repair or revision: Next year we're going to overhaul the curriculum.

  1. to gain upon, catch up with, or overtake, as in a race.

  2. to haul or turn over for examination.

  3. Nautical.

    • to slacken (a rope) by hauling in the opposite direction to that in which the rope was drawn taut.

    • to release the blocks of (a tackle).

noun
  1. Also o·ver·haul·ing. a general examination and repair: The state roads were badly in need of a major overhaul.

Origin of overhaul

1
First recorded in 1620–30; over- + haul

Other words from overhaul

  • o·ver·haul·er, noun
  • un·o·ver·hauled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use overhaul in a sentence

  • They accordingly returned to the corridor, where they set to work once more to over-haul the wainscotting.

British Dictionary definitions for overhaul

overhaul

verb(ˌəʊvəˈhɔːl) (tr)
  1. to examine carefully for faults, necessary repairs, etc

  2. to make repairs or adjustments to (a car, machine, etc)

  1. to overtake

noun(ˈəʊvəˌhɔːl)
  1. a thorough examination and repair

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012