Definition

1. Noun:

   • An excessive burden or load: A situation where something is carrying or being asked to handle more than its intended or safe capacity.
   • An electrical load that exceeds the available power: In engineering, a condition where an electrical circuit carries more current than it is designed for, potentially causing failure.

2. Verb:

   • To place too much of a load on something: To put an excessive physical or metaphorical burden on a person, system, or object.
   • To fill to excess so that function is impaired: To add so much of something that normal operation becomes difficult or impossible.
   • To become overloaded: (Used passively or reflexively) To reach a state of being excessively burdened or filled.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The overload of work caused him significant stress.
  • The circuit breaker tripped due to an electrical overload.

• Verb:

  • Be careful not to overload the washing machine with clothes.
  • Too much information can overload a student's mind.
  • The system overloaded and crashed during peak hours.

Advanced Usage

• Cognitive overload: A psychological state where one is given more information than they can process at one time.

  • The complex instructions created a cognitive overload for the new employees.

• Sensory overload: A condition where one or more of the senses are overstimulated.

  • The bright lights and loud noises at the concert caused sensory overload.

Variants and Related Words

• Overloaded (adj): Describing something that has been burdened with an excessive load.

  • The overloaded truck struggled up the hill.

• Overloading (n/gerund): The act or process of applying an excessive load.

  • Overloading the processor will shorten its lifespan.

Synonyms

• Noun: Surplus, overburden, excess.
• Verb: Overburden, overwhelm, encumber, strain.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Overload" is typically not used with separable particles to form distinct phrasal verbs. The meaning is contained within the single verb.) - To be overloaded with: To have an excessive amount of something. - The schedule was overloaded with meetings.

Related Idioms

• To have an overload on one's plate: To have too many tasks or responsibilities to handle. (A variation of "to have a lot on one's plate").
  • She couldn't take on another project; she already had an overload on her plate.

Noun

1. an excessive burden
2. an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power

Verb

1. place too much a load on
   • don't overload the car
2. fill to excess so that function is impaired
   • Fear clogged her mind
   • The story was clogged with too many details
3. become overloaded
   • The aerator overloaded