overload
UK: /ˌəʊvəˈləʊd/ | US: /ˌoʊvərˈloʊd/
vt. to load or burden excessively
n. an excessive load or amount
vt. (electrical) to cause too much current to pass through a circuit
The word "overload" combines the prefix "over-" (from Old English "ofer," meaning "excessive" or "beyond") with the root "load" (from Old English "lād," meaning "burden" or "cargo"). The term originally described physical overburdening but expanded to include electrical and metaphorical contexts (e.g., information overload). The logic reflects a straightforward compounding of "excess" + "burden."
The truck was fined for overload beyond its weight limit.
Overloading the circuit can cause a power outage.
Students often feel overloaded with assignments during exams.
The server crashed due to an overload of user requests.
Avoid overloading your schedule to prevent burnout.