WordGarden.ioload
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈəʊd/
US
- /ˈloʊd/
Meanings
Verb
to put people, goods, or material into a vehicle, container, or machine
to bring data or software into a computer system so it can be used
Noun
an amount carried, held, or dealt with at one time
a large amount of something
the amount of work, traffic, or processing demand on a computer system
Beyond the definition
A "load" can be the things you carry in your backpack on a hike. It can mean the amount of stuff, or the weight of it on your shoulders. You might load a dishwasher with plates or a truck with goods. A heavy load can feel like a burden, but sometimes a full load is a good thing, like a washing machine running at full capacity.
The word has roots in Old English, hinting at the effort involved in carrying or conveying something weighty. Think of loading hay onto a wagon; it takes real strength! You can also use "load" figuratively, as in "a heavy emotional load," meaning someone is dealing with a lot of difficult feelings or responsibilities.
The word "load" is surprisingly versatile, encompassing both the thing being carried and the act of placing it. At its core, a load refers to any quantity of something that is being transported, supported, or managed. For example, "The ship had a full load of cargo" describes the total amount of goods on board.
As a verb, "to load" means to place weight or items into or onto something—like loading groceries into bags, ammunition into a firearm, or data into a computer program. "She loaded the washing machine with dirty clothes." It can also mean to assign someone a great deal of work: "My boss loaded me with tasks today."
However, "load" isn't always about physical weight. We often use it figuratively to describe emotional or mental burdens. A "heavy load" might refer to stress, responsibility, or grief. For instance, "He carried a heavy load of guilt after the accident."
In the digital world, "loading" refers to transferring data into a computer's memory so that it can be accessed and used. This echoes the original meaning of bringing something onto a platform to be handled. Whether you're talking about physical weight, emotional pressure, or digital information, "load" always implies a quantity being carried, placed, or processed—a measure of what is being borne.
Examples
- 1
Moving boxes
Please load the boxes into the van before it starts raining.
- 2
Household chores
Can you load the dishwasher after dinner?
- 3
Cargo
The truck was carrying a heavy load of bricks.
- 4
Laundry
I usually do one load of laundry on Sunday morning.
- Phrasea load of laundry
the amount washed at one time
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Web page
The page took a few seconds to load.
- 6
Saved file
Click here to load the saved file.
- 7
App behavior
The app loads all your photos automatically.
- 8
Work pressure
The team already has a heavy load this week.
- Phrasea heavy load
a lot of work or responsibility
- 9
Blame
Don't load all the blame onto one person.
- Patternload + responsibility/blame/pressure onto + person
give someone too much of it
- 10
Preparation
We loaded up on snacks before the long drive.
- Patternload up on + supply
get a lot before you need it
- 11
Informal quantity
There were loads of people at the station.
- Usageloads of
a lot of; informal
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- loadnounverb
Forms
- loadedpast tenseverbnoun
- loadspluralnounverb
- loading-ing formverbnoun