verb
- to pump excessively or more than necessary
- to extract or remove too much liquid from a source, especially groundwater
Usage: transitive verb; often used in technical or mechanical contexts
Usage: transitive verb; environmental or hydrogeological context
Examples
- Do not overpump the bicycle tire or it may burst.
- The well was overpumped for decades, causing the water table to drop significantly.
- Overpumping the hydraulic system can damage the seals.
- Farmers in the region have been overpumping groundwater to irrigate their crops.
- Make sure you don't overpump the air mattress before the camping trip.