overburden

[oh-ver-bur-dn, oh-ver-bur-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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of overburden¹

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

Example Sentences

However, opponents said the proposals risked overburdening already stretched services.

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California’s high concentration of rehab facilities and large population continue to make it a magnet for operators hoping to be overlooked by overburdened regulators.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Drug companies launched these discount sites for uninsured patients years ago, hoping to foster the impression that they cared about patients overburdened by their list prices.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

People’s lives are overburdened enough or they simply find the news too upsetting.

Read more on Salon

With more than a million cases pending, it is among the most overburdened courts in the country.

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Related Words

• encumber 
• oppress 
• overwhelm