definitions

burden

1
[ bur-dn ]
/ ˈbɜr dn /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR burden ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object)

to load heavily.
to load oppressively; trouble.

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RELATED WORDS

load, duty, onus, hardship, strain, tax, difficulty, task, responsibility, trouble, anxiety, worry, concern, hinder, depress, afflict, overwhelm, bother, overload, oppress

Nearby words

burble, burbot, burchfield, burckhardt, burd, burden, burden of proof, burdened, burdensome, burdizzo, burdock

Origin of burden

1
before 1000; Middle English, variant of burthen, Old English byrthen; akin to German Bürde, Gothic baurthei; see bear1

Related forms

bur·den·er, nounbur·den·less, adjective

Synonym study

1. See load.

Definition for burden (2 of 2)

burden

2
[ bur-dn ]
/ ˈbɜr dn /

noun

the main point, message, or idea.
Music. the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.

Origin of burden

2
1275–1325; Middle English bordoun, burdoun < Old French bourdon droning sound, instrument making such a sound
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for burden

British Dictionary definitions for burden (1 of 2)

burden

1
/ (ˈbɜːdən) /

noun

something that is carried; load
something that is exacting, oppressive, or difficult to bearthe burden of responsibility Related adjective: onerous
nautical
  1. the cargo capacity of a ship
  2. the weight of a ship's cargo

verb (tr)

(sometimes foll by up) to put or impose a burden on; load
to weigh down; oppressthe old woman was burdened with cares

Word Origin for burden

Old English byrthen; related to beran to bear 1, Old Frisian berthene burden, Old High German burdin

British Dictionary definitions for burden (2 of 2)

burden

2
/ (ˈbɜːdən) /

noun

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

Word Origin for burden

C16: from Old French bourdon bass horn, droning sound, of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012