load Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun weight to be borne or conveyed
    loading; burden.
  2. noun a quantity that can be processed or transported at one time
    loading.
    • the system broke down under excessive loads
  3. noun goods carried by a large vehicle
    cargo; lading; shipment; loading; consignment; freight; payload.
  4. noun an amount of alcohol sufficient to intoxicate
    • he got a load on and started a brawl
  5. noun the power output of a generator or power plant
  6. noun an onerous or difficult concern
    incumbrance; onus; encumbrance; burden.
    • the burden of responsibility
    • that's a load off my mind
  7. noun a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks
    lode.
  8. noun the front part of a guided missile or rocket or torpedo that carries the nuclear or explosive charge or the chemical or biological agents
    warhead; payload.
  9. noun electrical device to which electrical power is delivered
  10. verb fill or place a load on
    lade; load up; laden.
    • load a car
    • load the truck with hay
  11. verb provide (a device) with something necessary
    charge.
    • He loaded his gun carefully
    • load the camera
  12. verb transfer from a storage device to a computer's memory
  13. verb put (something) on a structure or conveyance
    • load the bags onto the trucks
  14. verb corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
    stretch; dilute; debase; adulterate.
    • adulterate liquor

WordNet

Load noun
Etymology
OE. lode load, way; properly the same word as lode, but confused with lade, load, v. See Lade, Lead, v., Lode.
Definitions
  1. A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load.
    He might such a load To town with his ass carry. Gower.
  2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading.
  3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care. " A . . . load of guilt." Ray. " Our life's a load." Dryden.
  4. A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters.
  5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder.
  6. Weight or violence of blows. Obs. Milton.
  7. (Mach.) The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working. Syn. -- Burden; lading; weight; cargo. See Burden.
Load transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Loaded; present participle & verbal noun Loading Loaden is obsolete, and laden belongs to lade
Definitions
  1. To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon.
    I strive all in vain to load the cart. Gascoigne.
    I have loaden me with many spoils. Shak.
    Those honors deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house. Shak.
  2. To adulterate or drug; as, to load wine. Cant
  3. To magnetize.Obs. Prior.

Webster 1913