overpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'overpass' is correct and usable in written English.
An overpass is a bridge or road that crosses over another bridge, road, or railway. You can use the word 'overpass' when referring to such a structure. For example, "The highway intersected with an overpass on the other side of the river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Give or take some signs, a bit of subtle road engineering and the odd new overpass, most of the junctions look much like they did 40 years ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some are genuinely lovely – such as the Metro YHA, in Melbourne, Australia – and most hold nightly events and outings for guests (the HI-NYC has volunteer-led trips to comedy clubs and to Brooklyn's trendy Dumbo - Down under the Manhattan bridge overpass – district).

The Guardian - Travel

On the morning of 19 August, the first of three flat-bed trucks carrying three large 1000-litre watanksanks, each filled with explosives, detonated on an overpass outside the Finance Ministry in south-eastern Baghdad.

The Guardian

The gardens and playgrounds have been replaced by skips and abandoned cars, and the Presleys' old building is now overshadowed by a freeway overpass that blocks out the sunsets on the Mississippi.The Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) says that the buildings have become too difficult to maintain, and residents complain that the rooms are too small and the bathrooms lack showers.

The Economist

At the intersection of the Loop and Freeway 225, two motorways in the south-east of the city, you drive over a high, tangled overpass.

The Economist

After the quake, West Oakland residents opposed reconstruction of the overpass through their neighborhoods, arguing it had become fertile ground for garbage, prostitution and crack cocaine.

The Economist

It seems not.The police had been responding to reports of men firing on police on a nearby highway overpass.

The Economist

The king is now so influential that he need only muse aloud about, say, a new overpass to ease congestion in Bangkok, or a new system to tag stray dogs, to set off a race among politicians and bureaucrats to implement his ideas.The king is also credited with using this enormous moral authority to promote democracy and chastise Thailand's more venal and violent leaders.

The Economist

In the case of a typical overpass beam bridge with one support in the middle, construction begins with the casting of concrete footings for the pier and abutments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Generally speaking, bridges can be divided into two categories: standard overpass bridges or unique-design bridges over rivers, chasms, or estuaries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A bomb was left on barriers on the overpass, Atilla Aydiner, the mayor for Istanbul's Bayrampasa district, said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing infrastructure, use "overpass" to specifically refer to a road or bridge that crosses over another road, railway, or obstacle, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "overpass" interchangeably with broader terms like "bridge" or "viaduct" if the specific context involves one road crossing over another. Use "bridge" when referring to any structure spanning a gap and "viaduct" for longer, multi-supported structures.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overpass" is as a noun, referring to a structure that carries a road or pathway over an obstacle. It can also function as a verb, meaning to pass over something. Ludwig examples show usage in news, encyclopedias and everyday contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

53%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "overpass" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a bridge or road that crosses over another road, railway, or obstacle. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to pass above something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's commonly used in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts, reflecting its neutral register. While "overpass" is often interchanged with "bridge", it's more specific, referring to a structure that facilitates the crossing of transportation routes. For alternative phrasing, consider "flyover" or "viaduct", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flyover

This term is a direct synonym, often used interchangeably with "overpass" to describe a bridge carrying a road or railway over another.

bridge

A more general term that includes "overpass" as a specific type. It refers to any structure that spans a gap or obstacle.

viaduct

Similar to "overpass", but often implies a longer structure, especially one that crosses a valley or series of supports.

skyway

This term typically refers to an enclosed "overpass", often for pedestrian use, connecting buildings.

grade separation

A technical term referring to the design of roadways that separate different levels of traffic, often involving an "overpass".

elevated roadway

Describes a road that is raised above the ground, similar to an "overpass" but focusing on the road itself.

cross over

This is a verb phrase describing the action of passing over something, similar to the verb form of "overpass".

pass over

Similar to "cross over", this describes the action of going above something else.

go over

A simpler way to express the action of traversing something above.

span

This verb describes the act of bridging a gap, relating to the function of an "overpass".

FAQs

What is an "overpass"?

An "overpass" is a bridge or elevated roadway that allows passage over another road, railway, or obstacle. It's designed to separate traffic levels for improved safety and efficiency.

What's the difference between an "overpass" and a bridge?

While both are structures that span a gap, an "overpass" specifically carries a road or railway over another road or railway. A bridge is a more general term for any structure that spans a physical obstacle, such as a river or valley.

What can I say instead of "overpass"?

Depending on the context, you could use "flyover", "viaduct", or "bridge". "Flyover" is the closest synonym.

Is "overpass" formal or informal language?

"Overpass" is considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in news reports, technical documents, and everyday conversation.