overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbȯrd 

1

: over the side of a ship or boat into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

3

: into discard : aside

Examples of overboard in a Sentence

He threw the fish overboard.

The boy fell overboard and almost drowned.

One of the sailors fell into the water, and someone shouted “Man overboard!”.

Recent Examples on the Web

Modern design requires clean lines and uncluttered space, so avoid going overboard with decor and accessories. —Cori Sears, The Spruce, 29 Apr. 2026

Hours later, a separate passenger in his 70s reportedly climbed over the ship’s safety railing and went overboard, prompting an intensive search that was later suspended. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

After a ship-wide man overboard alert was called, the Breakaway subsequently turned around to help assist in the search. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

Rescuers searched in in the overnight hours Sunday off the coast of Massachusetts after issuing a man overboard announcement to passengers. —Matt Schooley, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overboard

• go overboard
• wash overboard

Rhymes for overboard

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overlord
• paperboard
• plasterboard
• shuffleboard

Kids Definition

overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: over the side of a ship into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

go overboard for a new fad