overburden

American  

[oh-ver-bur-dn, oh-ver-bur-dn] / ˌoʊ vərˈbɜr dn, ˈoʊ vərˌbɜr dn /

verb (used with object)

1. to load with too great a burden; overload.

   He was overburdened with cares.

---

noun

1. an excessive burden.

2. Also called burden, capping.  Mining. waste earth and rock covering a mineral deposit.

overburden British  

verb

1. (tr) to load with excessive weight, work, etc

---

noun

1. an excessive burden or load

2. geology the sedimentary rock material that covers coal seams, mineral veins, etc

Other Word Forms

• overburdensome adjective

Etymology

Origin of overburden

First recorded in 1570–80; over- + burden ¹

Example Sentences

On the other hand, technology has already overburdened us with too many stressors and microtasks.

From The Wall Street Journal

The overburdened sergeant rarely gets more than two hours of uninterrupted sleep.

From The Wall Street Journal

The trauma center is overburdened and under-resourced, forcing Robby and his fellow attending physicians to encourage their residents and interns to think creatively without losing empathy for their patients.

From Salon

State courts, which handle about 97% of all cases in the country, are particularly overburdened and have fewer resources.

From The Wall Street Journal

He cited concerns from constituents about overburdened social services in the area, according to local radio coverage of the meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• encumber
• oppress
• overwhelm