overburden

[verb oh-ver-bur-dn; noun oh-ver-bur-dn]

See more 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.

Origin of overburden

First recorded in 1570–80; over- + burden¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for overburden

overwhelm, encumber, oppress, exhaust

Examples from the Web for overburden

Historical Examples of overburden

His overburden of labor had crushed him,—before this his eyes had been tired out.
James B. Eads
Louis How
If I would have a clear spirit I must not overburden the flesh.
My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year
John Henry Jowett
If the students are willing to work we do not want to overburden them, Mr. Haskers.
Dave Porter and the Runaways
Edward Stratemeyer
It is not wise to overburden oneself with numerous clothes when traveling.
Book of Etiquette, Volume 2
Lillian Eichler Watson
It does not overburden one with an exposition of scientific facts.
Astounding Stories, February, 1931
Various

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 Formsoverburdensome, 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

Word Origin and History for overburden

also over-burden, "to put too much weight on," 1530s, from over- + burden (v.). Earliest uses are figurative. Related: Overburdened; overburdening.