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.
It says the overburden mounds were constructed to an approved design in compliance with regulations and had been monitored by a specialist.
From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025
They won’t overburden him the way the Angels have, or the way many other teams would.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 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
Some countries, however, say more environment laws would overburden industries and risk denting political support for green measures.
From Reuters • May 25, 2023
I helped my parents carry their tools, and they walked ahead so straight, each carrying a basket or a hoe not to overburden me, their tears falling privately.
From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston
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.
