span loading

noun Aeronautics.

See under loading(def 4).

loading

[loh-ding]

noun

the act of a person or thing that loads.
that with which something is loaded; load, burden, or charge.
Electricity. the process of adding reactance to a telephone circuit, radio antenna, etc.
Aeronautics. the ratio of the gross weight of an airplane to engine power (power loading), wing span (span loading), or wing area (wing loading).
Insurance. an addition to the net premium, to cover expenses and allow a margin for contingencies and profit.

Origin of loading

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at load, -ing¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for span loading

loading

noun

a load or burden; weight
the addition of an inductance to electrical equipment, such as a transmission line or aerial, to improve its performanceSee loading coil
an addition to an insurance premium to cover expenses, provide a safer profit margin, etc
the ratio of the gross weight of an aircraft to its engine power (power loading), wing area (wing loading), or some other parameter, or of the gross weight of a helicopter to its rotor disc area (disc loading)
psychol the correlation of a factor, such as a personality trait, with a performance score derived from a psychological test
material, such as china clay or size, added to paper, textiles, or similar materials to produce a smooth surface, increase weight, etc
Australian and NZ a payment made in addition to a basic wage or salary to reward special skills, compensate for unfavourable conditions, etc

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

span loading in Medicine

loading

[lō′dĭng]

The administration of a substance for the purpose of testing metabolic function.