1a heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or is about to be carried:in addition to their own food, they must carry a load of up to eighty pounds
the total number or amount that can be carried in something, especially a vehicle of a specified type:a tractor-trailer load of new appliances
the material carried along by a stream, glacier, ocean current, etc..
an amount of items washed or to be washed in a washing machine or dishwasher at one time:I do at least six loads of washing a week
2a weight or source of pressure borne by someone or something:the increased load on the heart caused by a raised arterial pressurethe arch has hollow spandrels to lighten the load on the foundations
the amount of work to be done by a person or machine:Arthur has a light teaching load
a burden of responsibility, worry, or grief:consumers will find it difficult to service their heavy load of debt
3 (a load of) informal a lot of (often used to express one’s disapproval or dislike of something):she was talking a load of garbage
(a load/loads) informal plenty:she spends loads of money on clothesthere’s loads to see here, even when it rains
4the amount of power supplied by a source; the resistance of moving parts to be overcome by a motor.
the amount of electricity supplied by a generating system at any given time.
Electronics an impedance or circuit that receives or develops the output of a transistor or other device.
verb
[with object]
1put a load or large amount of something on or in (a vehicle, ship, container, etc.):they load up their dugout canoes
place (a load or large quantity of something) on or in a vehicle, ship, container, etc.:stolen property from a burglary was loaded into a taxi
[no object] (of a ship or vehicle) take on a load:when we came to the quay the ship was still loading
[no object] (load up on) take, buy, or consume a large amount of:I just went down to the store and loaded up on beer
2make (someone or something) carry or hold a large or excessive amount of heavy things:Elaine was loaded down with bags full of shopping
(load someone/something with) supply someone or something with (something) in overwhelming abundance or to excess:the King and Queen loaded Columbus with wealth and honors
(usually be loaded) bias toward a particular outcome:the odds were loaded against them before the match
3charge (a firearm) with ammunition.
insert something into (a device) so that it can be operated:load your camera before you start
insert (something) into a device so that it will operate:load the cassette into the camcorder
Computing transfer (a program or data) into memory, or into the central processor from storage.
4add an extra charge to (an insurance premium) in the case of a poorer risk.
Phrases
get a load of
informal used to draw attention to someone or something:get a load of what we’ve just done
get (or have) a load on
informal become drunk.
load the bases
Baseball (of the team at bat) fill all three bases with runners; (of a pitcher) allow all three bases to be occupied by runners.
load the dice against/in favor of someone
put someone at a disadvantage or advantage.
take a (or the) load off one's feet
sit or lie down.
take a load off someone's mind
bring someone relief from anxiety.
Origin:
Old Englishlād 'way, journey, conveyance', of Germanic origin; related to German Leite, also to lead1; compare with lode. The verb dates from the late 15th century
