payload
[pey-lohd]
noun
the part of a cargo producing revenue or income, usually expressed in weight.
the number of paying passengers, as on an airplane.
Aerospace, Military.
- the bomb load, warhead, cargo, or passengers of an aircraft, a rocket, missile, etc., for delivery at a target or destination.
- the total complement of equipment carried by a spacecraft for the performance of a particular mission in space.
- the explosive energy of the warhead of a missile or of the bomb load of an aircraft: a payload of 50 megatons.
Origin of payload
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for payload
Contemporary Examples of payload
Historical Examples of payload
And I have only about twice the fuel supply you carry for a 100-ton payload.
Atom DriveCharles Louis Fontenay
All the wrecks nest there while waiting hopefully for a payload or a grubstake.
Turnover PointAlfred Coppel
"We could have postponed recovering the payload and helped you," Scotty said reproachfully.
The Flying StingareeHarold Leland Goodwin
Once the initial shock had passed, the body became an object only, a thing, a payload he had to deliver.
Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves TownCory Doctorow
But those landing rockets and Lieutenant Commander Brown constituted all its payload.
Space TugMurray Leinster
payload
noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper