Load Definition

lōd

loaded, loading, loads

noun

loads

A weight or mass that is supported.

The load on an arch.

American Heritage

The amount that can be or usually is carried.

A carload of coal.

Webster's New World

The overall force to which a structure is subjected in supporting a weight or mass or in resisting externally applied forces.

American Heritage

Something carried or to be carried at one time or in one trip; burden; cargo.

Webster's New World

Something carried with difficulty.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

verb

loaded, loading, loads

To put something to be carried into or upon; esp., to fill or cover with as much as can be carried.

To load a wagon with wheat.

Webster's New World

To put into or upon a carrier.

To load coal into a truck.

Webster's New World

To put on, receive, or take on passengers, goods, fuel, etc.

The bus is loading now.

Webster's New World

To provide or fill nearly to overflowing; heap.

Loaded the table with food.

American Heritage

To weigh down with or as with a heavy load; burden; oppress.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

idiom

get a load of

To look at; notice.
To listen to:
Get a load of this!

American Heritage

have a load on

To be intoxicated.

American Heritage

take a load off

To sit or lie down.

American Heritage

get a load of

to listen to or hear
to look at or see

Webster's New World

have a load on

to be intoxicated

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Load

Noun

Singular:

load

Plural:

loads

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Load

get a load of
have a load on
take a load off
get a load of
have a load on

Origin of Load

From Middle English lode, loade, from Old English lād (“course, journey; way, street, waterway; leading, carrying; maintenance, support"), from Proto-Germanic *laidō (“leading, way"), from Proto-Indo-European *leit- (“to go, go forth, die"), from Proto-Indo-European *lei- (“to be slimy, be sticky, slide, glide, stroke"). Etymologically identical with lode, which preserved the older meaning. Cognate with Middle Low German leide (“entourage, escort"), German Leite (“line, course, load"), Swedish led (“way, trail, line"), Icelandic leið (“way, course, route"). The sense of "˜burden' developed in the 13th century.

From Wiktionary
Middle English lode alteration (influenced by laden to load) of lade course, way from Old English lād leit- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
The verb load "˜to charge with a load' is derived from the noun, in the 16th century, and was influenced by the etymologically unrelated lade, which it largely supplanted.

From Wiktionary