Select the part or parts of the dictionary entry that explain the pronunciation of the word overwhelm. overwhelm \ˌō-vər-ˈhwelm, -ˈwelm\ v. 1. to overcome in feeling; 2. to defeat by overpowering; 3. to cover or bury beneath a mass of something; 4. to give an excessive amount of anything; 5. to overthrow. –overwhelming adj. 1300–1350; Middle English from over + whelmen to turn over, cover up