The meaning of OVER is across a barrier or intervening space; specifically : across the goal line in football. How to use over in a sentence.

We use over as a preposition and an adverb to refer to something at a higher position than something else, sometimes involving movement from one side to another: …

In a position to rule or control: The director presides over the meeting.

If someone or something goes over a barrier, obstacle, or boundary, they get to the other side of it by going across it, or across the top of it. I stepped over a broken piece of wood. Nearly one million …

above and to the other side of: to leap over a wall. above in authority, rank, power, etc., so as to govern, control, or have jurisdiction regarding: There is no one over her in the department now.

If something is over it is finished, across, or above. When a movie is over, you get up and leave. A blanket that's over your feet covers your toes. A painting over a fireplace hangs above it.

Jan 31, 2026 · When used in the sense "from one location to another", over implies that the two places are at approximately the same height or the height difference is not relevant.

There are 42 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word over, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

In, at, or to a position up from; higher than; above. A canopy over the bed, in water over his knees.

OVER definition: above in place or position. See examples of over used in a sentence.