overload
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
overloadsimple
-
overloadssimple
-
have overloadedperfect
-
has overloadedperfect
-
am overloadingprogressive
-
are overloadingprogressive
-
is overloadingprogressive
-
have been overloadingperfect progressive
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has been overloadingperfect progressive
Past
-
overloadedsimple
-
had overloadedperfect
-
was overloadingprogressive
-
were overloadingprogressive
-
had been overloadingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overload
Explanation
To overload is to load an excessive amount in or on something, such as an overload of electricity which shorts out the circuits. Overloading causes a "Too much!" situation. To overload is to push something or someone too far. A supervisor can overload an employee by assigning too much work. People can overload a bus if there are too many of them. A fuse will blow if too many appliances overload the circuits; this is called an overload (the noun form). When something gets overloaded, it usually stops working. Hair can overload or clog a sink, which will stop draining water. When something gets overloaded, there's more of something than it can handle.
Vocabulary lists containing overload
The House of Hades
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When I Was the Greatest
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: over-
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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.
See Examples For:
Now may not be the time to whip up your favorite cold salads or overload on the “L” in your BLTs.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
The Midwestern city of Chicago was likewise bracing for possible grid overload.
From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026
“It can be an overload to voters where they hit that tipping point where they’re no longer interested,” Flynn said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
During my three weeks covered in glowing sensors, I found myself toeing the line between mindful self-improvement and algorithmic overload.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
If, of course, your definition of groovy is sensory overload.
From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen
Under Pochettino, the U.S. approach was defined by an aggressive pressing system and tactical fluidity, with the team building from a back-three structure that freed its wing backs to exploit overloads when pushing forward.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
Patients also recovered more quickly from metabolic crises, i.e., overloads of the energy metabolism, which can suddenly worsen the course of this disorder.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 31, 2026
Strong solar storms however bring more than just stunning light displays -- they can also disrupt communication systems and cause satellite malfunctions and power grid overloads.
From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2025
In this system, Amorim aims to get the better of opponents by using overloads across the pitch.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2025
It is usually applied to a device which cuts out a current when it overcharges or overloads the wire.
From Electricity for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough
In Astana, schools are overloaded, and heating and water supply systems are struggling to cope, he said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
"But they become overloaded, so to speak. As a result, they can no longer effectively contribute to repair."
From Science Daily ● Jun. 29, 2026
Sister Maria nags the girls about dirty rooms and overloaded washing machines, and conducts room checks twice a month.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
Zoe said in that moment all she could focus on was the revelation of the affair - her body had been overloaded with five shocks in about 40 seconds.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
My head is tight like my brain is overloaded.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Meanwhile, the lack of connections mean wind farms are sometimes paid to switch off their turbines to avoid overloading the grid.
From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026
These are what allow golfers to generate speed without overloading the body.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026
But the biggest mistake many of us make is overloading the dishwasher, she says.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2026
"One of the possible causes of the sinking of the ship was the possibility of overcapacity and overloading," Lopez told a news briefing.
From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026
Meaning: They don’t need as much of their brains to process information and therefore might be able to add on more tasks without overloading the system.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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.
