burden

[ bur-dn ]

/ ˈbɜr dn /

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noun

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).

verb (used with object)

to load heavily.

to load oppressively; trouble.

Nearby words

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

Origin of burden

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

SYNONYMS FOR burden

2 weight, encumbrance, impediment.

8 weigh down, saddle, try, afflict, perturb, plague, grieve, vex.

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Related forms

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

Synonym study

1. See load.

Definition for burden (2 of 2)

burden

[ bur-dn ]

/ ˈbɜr dn /

noun

the main point, message, or idea.

Music. the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.

Origin of burden

1275–1325; Middle English bordoun, burdoun < Old French bourdon droning sound, instrument making such a sound

SYNONYMS FOR burden

1 substance, core, crux, nucleus, essence.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for burden

“If Charleston harbor needs improvement, let the commerce of Charleston bear the burden,” he said.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern|Lloyd Green|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“There are indications that decriminalization can reduce the burden on criminal justice systems,” the report said.
Britain Admits Anti-Drug Laws Are Useless|Nico Hines|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why do so many put the burden of speaking to race issues on Cosby?
A Full-Length Bill Cosby Portrait: From Track Star to Ugly Sweaters|Scott Porch|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While women are often better informed about their health, that means they bear the burden of broaching the topic of HPV.
The Silent Shame of HPV|Emily Shire|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Parents who bring wrongful birth suits seem to face a burden faced by no other plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases.
Parents Sue for 'Wrongful Birth'|Elizabeth Picciuto|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's no the burden, but the owerburden, that kills the beast.
The Proverbs of Scotland|Alexander Hislop
Well has one of our greatest poets written, "Take up the fat man's burden."
Three Elephant Power|Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson
Then they went back home to take up the burden that was their share.
Hero Tales of the Far North|Jacob A. Riis
Robert guessed it all, and whatever remorseful love could do to soften such a strain and burden he tried to do.
Robert Elsmere|Mrs. Humphry Ward
And why consciences grow so heavy, if there's no one to help to bear the burden.
The Road to Damascus|August Strindberg

British Dictionary definitions for burden (1 of 2)

burden

/ (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)

burden

/ (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