Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Overstrain · O·ver·strain · IPA v. i. v. t. 01 v. i. To strain one's self to excess. imp. & p. p. Overstrained; p. pr. & vb. n. Overstraining 1. To strain one's self to excess. 02 v. t. To stretch or strain too much; as, to overstrain one's nerves. 1. To stretch or strain too much; as, to overstrain one's nerves.