n.
Pronunciation: ' ō -v ə r- ˌ kil
Function: noun
Date: 1958
1 : a destructive capacity greatly exceeding that required for a given target
2 : an excess of something (as a quantity or an action) beyond what is required or suitable for a particular purpose <publicity overkill > <an overkill in weaponry>
3 : killing in excess of what is intended or required