overburden
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
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an excessive burden.
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Also called burden, capping. Mining. waste earth and rock covering a mineral deposit.
verb
noun
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an excessive burden or load
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geology the sedimentary rock material that covers coal seams, mineral veins, etc
Other Word Forms
- overburdensome adjective
Etymology
Origin of overburden
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Generally colliery tips were located on steep hillsides, whereas Ffos-y-Fran's overburden mounds sit "on ground with gentle gradients", with differences too in terms of how they were constructed and their drainage systems, they said.
From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025
The bankruptcy trustee alleged the producers and Lemonis worked to divide the business owners and overburden the company with debt.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2023
“Sometimes people are hesitant: They don’t want to overburden the system, and I would say that that’s why we’re here,” Tudor said.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 1, 2023
The SPD also sought changes to ensure that replacing heating systems wouldn't overburden low-income households.
From Reuters • Jun. 13, 2023
“We cannot overburden our pack animals; the Princess Eilonwy and Gurgi will share our own horses.”
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
