Word
overloading
Phoneticsover·load·ing
US/ˈoʊvɝˌɫoʊdɪŋ/
UK/ˌəʊvəlˈəʊdɪŋ/
Definition
v. to put too much weight or work on something, making it break or fail. You use this when a machine, a person, or a system has more than it can handle.
v. to subject a system, person, or machine to a workload or weight that exceeds its capacity. Often results in failure, breakdown, or a loss of efficiency.
Examples
“The truck is overloading the bridge with its heavy cargo.”
“The server crashed because the sudden surge in traffic was overloading the available bandwidth.”
“Engineers must calculate the maximum stress a bridge can withstand to prevent the structural overloading that could lead to a catastrophic collapse during peak usage hours.”
Examples
simple
“The truck is overloading the bridge with its heavy cargo.”
contextual
“The server crashed because the sudden surge in traffic was overloading the available bandwidth.”
complex
“Engineers must calculate the maximum stress a bridge can withstand to prevent the structural overloading that could lead to a catastrophic collapse during peak usage hours.”
Real-World Examples
“This mismatch between demand and supply has led several countries to take energy-saving measures to prevent overloading their national networks.” “With the players Madrid have, often it will, but Atlético were aware of that, planned for it; they were aware too of where the damage could be done, overloading Madrid’s left.” Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
PHRASAL VERB
PREPOSITION
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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