burden
1[ bur-dn ]
/ ˈbɜr dn /
noun
verb (used with object)
to load heavily.
to load oppressively; trouble.
Words nearby burden
burble, burbot, burchfield, burckhardt, burd, burden, burden of proof, burdened, burdensome, burdizzo, burdock
Origin of burden
1before 1000; Middle English, variant of burthen, Old English byrthen; akin to German Bürde, Gothic baurthei; see bear1
SYNONYMS FOR burden
OTHER WORDS FROM burden
bur·den·er, nounbur·den·less, adjectivesynonym study for burden
1. See load.
Definition for burden (2 of 2)
burden2
[ bur-dn ]
/ ˈbɜr dn /
noun
the main point, message, or idea.
Music. the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.
Origin of burden
21275–1325; 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. 2020
Examples from the Web for burden
British Dictionary definitions for burden (1 of 2)
burden1
/ (ˈbɜːdən) /
noun
something that is carried; load
something that is exacting, oppressive, or difficult to bearthe burden of responsibility Related adjective: onerous
nautical
- the cargo capacity of a ship
- 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)
burden2
/ (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