unload
Americanverb (used with object)
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to take the load from; remove the cargo or freight from.
to unload a truck; to unload a cart.
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to remove or discharge (a load, group of people, etc.).
to unload passengers.
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to remove the charge from (a firearm).
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to relieve of anything burdensome, oppressive, etc..
He unloaded his responsibilities.
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to get rid of (goods, shares of stock, etc.) by sale in large quantities.
verb (used without object)
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to unload something.
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Informal. to relieve one's stress by talking, confessing, or the like.
verb
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to remove a load or cargo from (a ship, lorry, etc)
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to discharge (cargo, freight, etc)
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(tr) to relieve of a burden or troubles
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(tr) to give vent to (anxiety, troubles, etc)
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(tr) to get rid of or dispose of (esp surplus goods)
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(tr) to remove the charge of ammunition from (a firearm)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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unloadsimple
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unloadssimple
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have unloadedperfect
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has unloadedperfect
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am unloadingprogressive
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are unloadingprogressive
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is unloadingprogressive
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have been unloadingperfect progressive
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has been unloadingperfect progressive
Past
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unloadedsimple
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had unloadedperfect
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was unloadingprogressive
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were unloadingprogressive
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had been unloadingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unload
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.
Vocabulary lists containing unload
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
However, the increased adoption of battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, favors the Chinese original equipment manufacturers while putting pressure on the sales volumes of European incumbents trying to unload cars with internal-combustion engines.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
After striking a deal to unload a majority stake in the Arby’s business to private-equity firm Roark Capital in 2011, Wendy’s seemed to hit its stride.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Overall, the growing list of celebrities who have spent years trying to unload their expansive abodes indicates a significant shift in the luxury market, Luxury Estate International agent Marianna Sullivan notes.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 3, 2026
The exchange has emerged this year as a go-to spot for Wall Street’s weekend warriors like Zeinali—a place they can build or unload big positions hours or even days before the opening bell rings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026
Their new guide knew exactly where the rapids were, where to unload the canoes, and where the carry-trails were.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
One driver watches for blind spots while the other unloads the groceries.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
He hauls buckets of feed into the back of his ATV and unloads them in a pen crowded with cattle that outweigh him many times over.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 15, 2026
The crypto selloff has deepened as Wall Street unloads risk-on assets amid concerns over the stretched valuations of artificial-intelligence stocks.
From Barron's ● Nov. 14, 2025
Robb Smith, left, unloads his truck with the help of Tito Rodriguez at the drop site on Monday in Paramount.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2025
She unloads a tray of them from the delivery cart, reserving two to eat later.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
While nearly 30 unloaded VLCCs, the largest type of tanker, are still heading toward the Middle East Gulf, more vessels could divert or delay voyages in the coming days if the fighting persists, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Fox also unloaded its regional cable sports networks — a savvy move before that business cratered.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
The listing comes one year after the actress successfully unloaded another renovated property in Montecito, Calif., for $16.8 million—although she earned a much lower profit than she had initially hoped.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
The flight is understood to have missed its air traffic control slot and departed an hour late after the missing passengers' bags were unloaded.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
At the airport he unloaded our bags, helped us verify our tickets.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
Crews were spotted unloading one large black box labeled "40-inch mirror ball" and a large white staircase railing.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
CBS also posted images on social media of crews unloading covered equipment labeled “Garden Party,” and other photos show a “40-inch mirror ball.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
U.S. personnel are helping to manage air traffic, unloading the planes, and moving aid to other destinations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
“We clearly saw it unloading military cargo in Tartus.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
After that was Cat and Chicken’s room, where Chicken was already unloading the metal can that held his marble collection.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
