burden
1that which is carried; load: a horse's burden of rider and pack.
that which is borne with difficulty; obligation; onus: the burden of leadership.
Nautical.
the weight of a ship's cargo.
the carrying capacity of a ship.
Mining. overburden (def. 3).
Metallurgy. the minerals charged into a blast furnace or steelmaking furnace.
Accounting. overhead (def. 6).
to load heavily.
to load oppressively; trouble.
Origin of burden
1synonym study For burden
Other words for burden
Other words from burden
- bur·den·er, noun
- bur·den·less, adjective
Other definitions for burden (2 of 2)
the main point, message, or idea.
Music. the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.
Origin of burden
2Other words for burden
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use burden in a sentence
A lion's net is a heavy affair, but with the aid of the keepers the men ran as quickly and lightly as if burdenless.
The Adventures of Kathlyn | Harold MacGrathHe burdened her with his inflated notions of how burdenless she ought to be.
The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight | Elizabeth von Arnim
British Dictionary definitions for burden (1 of 2)
/ (ˈbɜːdən) /
something that is carried; load
something that is exacting, oppressive, or difficult to bear: the burden of responsibility Related adjective: onerous
nautical
the cargo capacity of a ship
the weight of a ship's cargo
(sometimes foll by up) to put or impose a burden on; load
to weigh down; oppress: the old woman was burdened with cares
Origin of burden
1British Dictionary definitions for burden (2 of 2)
/ (ˈbɜːdən) /
a line of words recurring at the end of each verse of a ballad or similar song; chorus or refrain
the principal or recurrent theme of a speech, book, etc
another word for bourdon
Origin of burden
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse