To overtake means to catch up to someone or something moving ahead of you and then pass them. When a faster runner overtakes slower runners in a race, she moves from behind them to in front of them. When one car overtakes another on the highway, it speeds up, pulls into the passing lane, and moves ahead.

The word captures that moment of transition when you go from following to leading. A student who studies diligently might overtake classmates who started the year with better grades. A small company with a brilliant new product might overtake larger competitors in sales.

Overtaking requires moving faster or more effectively than whoever or whatever is ahead. You overtake someone because you're moving faster than they are, even though they're also in motion. In a bike race, you might slowly overtake a tired rider by maintaining your energy while they slow down.

The word also describes one thing surpassing another over time. Technology has overtaken many traditional methods of communication. In some cities, bicycles have overtaken cars as the fastest way to get around during rush hour. When something overtakes something else, it catches up and then pulls ahead to take the lead.