Meanings
nounoverextension (countable and uncountable, plural overextensions)
plural overextensions
- countableuncountableThe state or quality of being overextended; extension beyond normal, correct, or appropriate bounds or limits.
Other nations sensed American overextension.
2009 February 13, David Brooks, “The Worst-Case Scenario”, in New York Times - countableuncountablehuman sciencesApplication of a term to too many referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer to all animals.
Origin
- Proto-Indo-European*úp
- Proto-Indo-European*upér
- Proto-Germanic*uber
- Old Englishofer-
- Middle Englishover-
- Englishover-
- Englishextension
- Englishoverextension
Cite this entry
APA
overextension. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/overextension
MLA
“overextension.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/overextension. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “overextension,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/overextension.
Source: overextension on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.