burden1
- that which is carried; load: a horse's burden of rider and pack.
- that which is borne with difficulty; obligation; onus: the burden of leadership.
- Nautical.
- the weight of a ship's cargo.
- the carrying capacity of a ship.
- Mining. overburden(def 3).
- Metallurgy. the minerals charged into a blast furnace or steelmaking furnace.
- Accounting. overhead(def 6).
- to load heavily.
- to load oppressively; trouble.
Origin of burden1
Synonyms
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burden2
- the main point, message, or idea.
- Music. the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.
Origin of burden2
Synonyms
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Contemporary Examples
“If Charleston harbor needs improvement, let the commerce of Charleston bear the burden,” he said.
“There are indications that decriminalization can reduce the burden on criminal justice systems,” the report said.
Why do so many put the burden of speaking to race issues on Cosby?
While women are often better informed about their health, that means they bear the burden of broaching the topic of HPV.
Parents who bring wrongful birth suits seem to face a burden faced by no other plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases.
Historical Examples
All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden.
I am weary of the earth-damps; they burden me; they choke me!
Other Tales and SketchesNathaniel Hawthorne
She would cast her burden on Him, for she knew He cared for her.
Life in LondonEdwin Hodder
The burden was hard to bear, yet I prayed for strength to bear it.
Biography of a SlaveCharles Thompson
Sin brings its punishment, and it is hard work, bearing its burden!
Life in LondonEdwin Hodder
burden1
- 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
- (sometimes foll by up) to put or impose a burden on; load
- to weigh down; oppressthe old woman was burdened with cares
Word Origin
burden2
- 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
Word Origin and History for burden
n.1
"a load," Old English byrðen "a load, weight, charge, duty;" also "a child;" from Proto-Germanic *burthinjo- "that which is borne" (cf. Old Norse byrðr, Old Saxon burthinnia, German bürde, Gothic baurþei), from PIE root *bher- (1) "to bear, to carry; give birth" (see infer).
The shift from -th- to -d- took place beginning 12c. (cf. murder). Archaic burthen is occasionally retained for the specific sense of "capacity of a ship." Burden of proof is recorded from 1590s.
n.2
"leading idea," 1640s, a figurative use from earlier sense "refrain or chorus of a song," 1590s, originally "bass accompaniment to music" (late 14c.), from Old French bordon "bumble-bee, drone," or directly from Medieval Latin burdonom "drone, drone bass" (source of French bourdon, Spanish bordon, Portuguese bordão, Italian bordone), of echoic origin.