When you've taken out more money from a bank account than you actually have, leaving a negative balance.
From 'over-' (excessively) + 'drawn' (past participle of draw, meaning to take out). The financial sense emerged in the 18th-19th centuries as modern banking systems developed.
Banks make huge profits from overdraft fees—sometimes charging $35 for going a few cents over. It's a sneaky revenue stream that disproportionately affects poor people who live paycheck to paycheck.
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