overburden

[ verb oh-ver-bur-dn; noun oh-ver-bur-dn ]
/ verb ˌoʊ vərˈbɜr dn; noun ˈoʊ vərˌbɜr dn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR overburden ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to load with too great a burden; overload: He was overburdened with cares.

noun

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

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Origin of overburden

First recorded in 1570–80; over- + burden1

Words nearby overburden

overbought, overbrake, overbreak, overbudget, overbuild, overburden, overburdensome, overbuy, overcall, overcame, overcapacity
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to overburden

overwhelm, encumber, oppress, exhaust

Example sentences from the Web for overburden

British Dictionary definitions for overburden

overburden

verb (ˌəʊvəˈbɜːdən)

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

noun (ˈəʊvəˌbɜːdən)

an excessive burden or load
geology the sedimentary rock material that covers coal seams, mineral veins, etc

Derived forms of overburden

overburdensome, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012