What does load mean?
A load is an amount of something carried, handled, processed, or required. As a noun, it can refer to cargo, a vehicle’s cargo, electrical demand, or the amount of work assigned to a person or system. As a verb, “load” means to place goods into a vehicle or container, fill or charge a machine or firearm, board people or items, or transfer data into a computer. The word is highly practical and appears in contexts ranging from transport and industry to electricity and software. In informal British and American English, “a load of” can mean a large amount of something and may suggest that the amount is excessive, inconvenient, or unworthy of serious concern. The related adjective “load-bearing” is especially common in engineering and construction, while “load shedding” describes reducing demand during a shortage.
An amount of something carried or carried by a vehicle or vessel; also an amount of work, responsibility, electricity, or other demand.
"The bridge was designed to support a heavy load."
In informal usage, “a load of” can mean a large amount of something, sometimes with a dismissive or excessive implication.
To place goods or other materials into a vehicle or container, to charge or fill something, or to transfer data into a computer or device.
"Workers loaded the boxes onto the truck."
The verb has specialized technical uses in computing, electricity, transport, and firearms.
“Loads” is the standard plural noun form. It can also be used informally to mean a large quantity: “There are loads of people waiting outside.”
"The truck delivered several loads of construction materials."
The word load began with a sense of a road or way to travel before settling on its modern idea of a burden or amount carried.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of load
The word descends from Old English lād, with related forms such as lade, meaning a way, journey, or burden. Its modern sense developed from the idea of what is carried or imposed upon someone. The related forms lade, laden, and lading reflect the same Germanic root, while the modern spelling load became established in Middle English.
Related word forms
How load is actually used
The expression “a load of” is informal and can mean “a large amount of,” often with a dismissive or slightly disapproving tone. In technical contexts, “load” can refer to electrical demand, computational work, or the amount of material placed into a system. “Load” and “download” are also often used in computing, where “load” means to bring data or a program into memory or onto a device.
Easily confused with load
A load is an amount carried or carried by a vehicle, whereas a lode is a vein or deposit of mineral ore in rock.
A load is a carried amount or unit of work, while a loaf is a shaped portion of bread.