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View synonyms for

burden

1

[ bur-dn ]

noun

  1. that which is carried; load:

    a horse's burden of rider and pack.

  2. that which is borne with difficulty; obligation; onus:

    the burden of leadership.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. Nautical.
    1. the weight of a ship's cargo.
    2. the carrying capacity of a ship.
  4. Metallurgy. the minerals charged into a blast furnace or steelmaking furnace.
  5. Accounting. overhead ( def 6 ).


verb (used with object)

  1. to load heavily.
  2. to load oppressively; trouble.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , ,

burden

2

[ bur-dn ]

noun

  1. the main point, message, or idea.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

  2. Music. the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.

burden

1

/ ˈɜːə /

noun

  1. something that is carried; load
  2. something that is exacting, oppressive, or difficult to bear onerous

    the burden of responsibility

  3. nautical
    1. the cargo capacity of a ship
    2. the weight of a ship's cargo
“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

verb

  1. sometimes foll by up to put or impose a burden on; load
  2. to weigh down; oppress

    the old woman was burdened with cares

“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

burden

2

/ ˈɜːə /

noun

  1. a line of words recurring at the end of each verse of a ballad or similar song; chorus or refrain
  2. the principal or recurrent theme of a speech, book, etc
  3. another word for bourdon
“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
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Other Word Forms

  • ܰd· noun
  • ܰd· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of burden1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, birthen, birden, Old English byrthen; akin to German ü, Gothic baurthei; bear 1

Origin of burden2

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bordoun, burdoun “drone, bass,” from Old French bourdon “droning sound, instrument making such a sound”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of burden1

Old English byrthen ; related to beran to bear 1, Old Frisian berthene burden, Old High German burdin

Origin of burden2

C16: from Old French bourdon bass horn, droning sound, of imitative origin
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Synonym Study

See load.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But she was burdened by outdated technology that limited the number of patients she could see.

From

Yet Vasily says that Armenia can be expensive and the country needs to reduce the tax burden on IT firms if it wants them to stay in the country.

From

For Ms Shange this shows how the burden of a happy home is often placed on the woman's shoulders.

From

Multiply these effects nationwide, especially in response to tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese imports, and the claimed revenue benefit quickly becomes a widespread economic burden on vulnerable Americans.

From

On Friday, the judge told Zurawska: "Even if you do recover from this mental illness, the burden of what happened will always be with you."

From

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burdburdened