Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Override has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:
a manually operated device to correct the operation of an automatic device
"The pilot used the manual override to stop the autopilot when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence."
the act of nullifying; making null and void; counteracting or overriding the effect or force of something
"The new safety regulations override the previous guidelines, rendering them immediately invalid."
A mechanism, device or procedure used to counteract an automatic control.
"The pilot engaged a manual override on the autopilot system to land the aircraft during severe turbulence."
In plain English: An override is an order that cancels out another decision and forces something to happen anyway.
"The driver's manual override prevented the car from shutting down completely."
counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle)
"The driver had to manually override the automatic gear shift when climbing the steep hill."
ride (a horse) too hard
"The young rider was warned not to override his inexperienced mount during the long trek."
To ride across or beyond something.
"The horse galloped over the fence to override the barrier and reach the other side."
In plain English: To override something means to ignore rules or instructions and do what you want instead.
"The new manager decided to override my suggestion about changing the launch date because she had more authority on the matter."
Usage: Use override as the verb form of noun phrases like safety mechanisms or system settings when you mean to take precedence over them. Avoid confusing it with "overrule," which specifically refers to rejecting a decision rather than bypassing an automatic function.
The word comes from Old English oferrīdan, which combined the prefix over- with the verb ride. Its original meaning was literally to ride over something.