overground

adj

1. (not-comparable)Above the ground.

   “an overground railway”

   “Colour-light signals, for both day and night work, came into use at a much later date, and their first use on any scale in this country was on the London underground railways, where the principle adopted was largely American in origin. But although light signalling is credited to America, one of the first instances of its use was an experimental installation at Herne Hill, although it did not find favour in this country for overground working until some fifty years later.”

   “We have been concentrating on the City because that was the initial target for builders of both overground and underground railways, who were like artists going over and over the same piece of canvas.”

2. (not-comparable)Mainstream, not underground.

   “They have plans to carry overground books on gay liberation, and a lot of books from small presses.”

noun

1. (London)A commuter rail or similar rail transport system, or a train in such systems, generally running through an urban area largely above ground and faster than an underground or metro with fewer stops.

   “The overground is ten minutes walk through the gloom. Anna finds a seat in the third carriage she tries.”

   “Today dozens more systems are being built – or at least being planned with twelve in China alone – and that's not counting the overgrounds and the tramways!”

   “TfL has released an official map showing how the new Elizabeth Line will slot in with the existing stations, Tube lines and overgrounds.”

verb

1. (form-of, participle, past)simple past and past participle of overgrind

name

1. The London Overground, a counterpart of London Underground operated by TfL (Transport for London), which operates some of the various lines around London which are mainly above ground.

   “Yes, it was rather bizarre to make a former underground line into part of a network called London Overground, and at Whitechapel the Overground goes under the Underground. But let's not spoil our happy ending for the East London Line.”