Noun: overburden ,ow-vu(r)'bur-d(u)n
- An excessive burden
"The mine collapse was caused by overburden on the support structures";
- overload
- The surface soil that must be moved away to get at coal seams and mineral deposits
"The mining company had to remove tons of overburden before reaching the ore"
- Burden with too much work or responsibility
"The manager overburdened his team with unrealistic deadlines"
- Load with excessive weight
"The truck was overburdened with cargo, making it difficult to drive"
Derived forms: overburdens, overburdening, overburdened
Type of: burden, burthen, charge, ground, land, load, loading, lumber [Brit, informal], saddle, soil, weight, weight down
Encyclopedia: Overburden