overload
/'ouvəloud/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- an excessive burden
- an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power
Verb
- place too much a load on
- don't overload the car
- fill to excess so that function is impaired
- Fear clogged her mind
- The story was clogged with too many details
- become overloaded
- The aerator overloaded