Overload
/ˌoʊvərˈloʊd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo put too much of something into or onto someone or something.
/ˌoʊvərˈloʊd/
To load something to an excessive degree.
The workers overloaded the truck with heavy boxes, causing it to tip over.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to carry too many groceries at once - your arms are about to give out! Overload means you're putting too much in or on something, like a computer that can't handle all the work.
👶 For kids: When you put too many things on something. Like, if you put too many toys in your toybox, it's overloaded!
More Examples
The system overloaded when too many users attempted to access it simultaneously.
The company overloaded its employees with tasks, leading to burnout.
How It's Used
"The bridge was overloaded and collapsed."
"The server can overload if too many users access it at once."
"She felt emotionally overloaded after the day's events."
An excessive load or quantity.
/ˈoʊvərˌloʊd/
An excessive load or burden.
The electrical system suffered an overload during the storm.
💡 Simply: Imagine your computer freezing because you have too many tabs open. That's an overload – too much happening at once. It's like having too much to do, too much information, or too much of anything!
👶 For kids: Too much of something! Like, too many toys or too much food.
More Examples
The company experienced an information overload during the merger.
He felt overwhelmed by the emotional overload from the news.
How It's Used
"The bridge's structural integrity was compromised due to overload."
"The power supply shut down due to overload."
"The constant stress led to an information overload."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
information overload
A state in which one is overwhelmed by the amount of information available.
"With the internet and social media, we're constantly fighting information overload."
sensory overload
A state in which a person is overwhelmed by the amount of sensory stimuli.
"The flashing lights and loud music created a sensory overload at the concert."
From 'over' + 'load', originating in the 16th century, likely as a direct extension of the verb 'load' to indicate an excess of something.
Used since the 16th century. Early use of the word referred to putting too much of a load on a ship or other conveyance.
Memory tip
Imagine a truck loaded way past its capacity, straining and struggling. That's overloading.
Word Origin
"excessive load"