Definition of "overstrain" []

• To subject to excessive strain, especially to force beyond a natural or proper limit: overstraining the environment. (verb-transitive)
• To put forth too much physical effort. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Monte Carlo - Sweden's French Open finalist Robin Soderling will miss next week's Monte Carlo Masters, delaying his start on clay to take care of what has been diagnosed as "overstrain" of his right knee. ""
• "In the autumn of 1938, at her own request, Karin Boye took up full-time teaching at Viggbyholm, but the workload proved to be too much for her, and she suffered from overstrain and exhaustion."
• "There are of course no "bagging" people at Ikea -- just posted reminders that it is better to purchase an Ikea shopping bag so as to not overstrain the environment (never mind about your back)."