Load
/loʊd/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo put a substance or object into a container, vehicle, or machine.
/loʊd/
To put a quantity of something onto or into something else.
She loaded the dishwasher.
💡 Simply: Think of putting stuff *into* a box or a car. Like, you load your groceries into the car after shopping, right?
👶 For kids: To put things in something, like putting toys in a box.
More Examples
Please load the boxes onto the truck.
The artist is loading paint onto the canvas.
How It's Used
"The truck driver loaded the cargo onto the trailer."
"I'm loading the software onto my computer."
To insert ammunition into a gun.
/loʊd/
To put ammunition into a firearm.
The hunter carefully loaded his shotgun before the hunt.
💡 Simply: Like putting bullets into a gun so you can shoot it. Be careful when doing so! Only when supervised by adults.
👶 For kids: Putting bullets in a toy gun.
More Examples
He loaded the pistol quickly.
She showed me how to load the rifle.
How It's Used
"The soldier loaded his rifle with ammunition."
"He loaded the shotgun with birdshot."
Something that is carried or transported.
/loʊd/
A quantity or amount of something carried or transported.
The ship carried a large load of cargo.
💡 Simply: The amount of stuff you're carrying. Like, the load of groceries you're carrying from the store.
👶 For kids: The stuff you are carrying.
More Examples
The worker lifted a heavy load.
The cart had a load of hay.
How It's Used
"The truck carried a heavy load of lumber."
"The bridge was designed to withstand a maximum load."
An amount of work or responsibility.
/loʊd/
The amount of work or responsibility assigned to someone or something.
The doctor was managing a heavy patient load.
💡 Simply: How much work you have to do. Like, if you have a lot of homework, you have a heavy school load.
👶 For kids: All the work you have to do.
More Examples
She was feeling the pressure of her workload.
The company is trying to manage its power load efficiently.
How It's Used
"The manager reduced the employee's workload."
"The student had a heavy course load."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a load off one's mind
A feeling of relief after a worry has ended.
"When I heard I passed the exam, it was a load off my mind."
bear a load
To carry a heavy weight or burden.
"The cart was designed to bear a heavy load."
take a load off
To sit down and relax.
"Come in and take a load off your feet."
From Middle English *lode*, from Old English *lād* ('a way, journey, course'), related to *lǣdan* ('to lead'). Initially referred to a journey or carrying. Meaning expanded to refer to the weight carried and then the action of carrying or supplying.
Historically, the word 'load' was primarily associated with carrying burdens, both literal and figurative, appearing in texts related to trade, travel, and moral responsibility.
Memory tip
Imagine you're putting things 'on' a container – that's loading!
Word Origin
"way, journey, course, also burden"