overload

[oh-ver-lohd, oh-ver-lohd]

verb (used with object)

1. to load to excess; overburden.

   Don't overload the raft or it will sink.

noun

1. an excessive load.

overload

verb

1. (tr) to put too large a load on or in

noun

1. an excessive load

Word History and Origins

Origin of overload¹

First recorded in 1545–55; over- + load

Example Sentences

The overloaded vessel — carrying heavy railroad and mining equipment and a huge shipment of gold — sank within 45 minutes, killing all but 19 of its 244 passengers and crew.

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"A light, fresh, easy-to-digest product with a few choice toppings, not the massively greasy, heavy and overloaded pizzas of the past. That, I think, is what's caused Pizza Hut's downfall," she says.

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The drones are effective both for single and mass launches which can potentially overload air defence systems.

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“Here we were being so careful, treating him like he was fragile and not wanting to overload him,” she says laughing, “and he’s just calmly multitasking.”

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For club and country, Bonmati smartly ran into unorthodox positions, sometimes even leaving her position to move to the opposite side to create an overload.

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Related Words

• overburden 
• overwhelm