unload

American  

[uhn-lohd] / ʌnˈloʊd /

verb (used with object)

1. to take the load from; remove the cargo or freight from.

   to unload a truck; to unload a cart.

2. to remove or discharge (a load, group of people, etc.).

   to unload passengers.

3. to remove the charge from (a firearm).

4. to relieve of anything burdensome, oppressive, etc..

   He unloaded his responsibilities.

5. to get rid of (goods, shares of stock, etc.) by sale in large quantities.

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verb (used without object)

1. to unload something.

2. Informal. to relieve one's stress by talking, confessing, or the like.

unload British  

/ ʌnˈləʊd /

verb

1. to remove a load or cargo from (a ship, lorry, etc)

2. to discharge (cargo, freight, etc)

3. (tr) to relieve of a burden or troubles

4. (tr) to give vent to (anxiety, troubles, etc)

5. (tr) to get rid of or dispose of (esp surplus goods)

6. (tr) to remove the charge of ammunition from (a firearm)

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Other Word Forms

• self-unloading adjective
• unloader noun

Etymology

Origin of unload

First recorded in 1515–25; un- ² + load

Explanation

To unload is to remove cargo from a vehicle or shipping carton. Unload can also mean to discharge or get rid of something, or to get something off your chest. A clothing store might unload (remove) a hundred cartons from the delivery truck, and then unload (unpack) shirts and pants from the cartons. If a carton of clothes is imperfect, the store might send them back or unload (dispossess themselves of) them by selling them cheaply to a factory-seconds outlet. Then the store manager, depending on her mood, might unload on (give a tongue-lashing to) the manufacturer for shipping shoddy products.

Example Sentences

They have also been seeking to unload stock that exploded in value during the bull market of the last decade and a half.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

District Judge Zahid Quraishi to unload on career prosecutors last Monday, throwing one out of the courtroom and ordering the “triumvirate” to testify under oath about their illegal leadership structure.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

A second Grimaldi car carrier heading from Asia to the lucrative Middle Eastern market is still looking for somewhere to unload, while a third is trapped in the Gulf itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The company has until Feb. 21 to unload the shares without suffering tax consequences, according to a registration filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made last year.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

Christmas music plays loudly in the building, and volunteers in Santa hats unload the truck.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• clear out
• discharge
• disgorge
• dump
• get rid of
• jettison
• off-load
• remove
• unpack