burden
1 of 3noun (1)
bur·den ˈbər-dᵊn 
1
a
: something that is carried : load
dropped his burden of firewood
b
: duty, responsibility
forced to bear the burden of caring for her aging parents
lowering the tax burden on the middle class
2
: something oppressive or worrisome
a heavy burden of guilt
was a huge financial burden on his family
3
a
: the bearing of a load —usually used in the phrase beast of burden
b
: capacity for carrying cargo
a ship of a hundred tons burden
4
: load sense 11
worm burdens of cattle
cancer burden
burden
2 of 3verb
burdened; burdening ˈbərd-niŋ
ˈbər-dᵊn-iŋ
transitive verb
: load, oppress
I will not burden you with a lengthy account.
burden
3 of 3noun (2)
1
a
: a central topic : theme
the burden of the argument
b
: chorus, refrain
2
archaic : a bass or accompanying part
I would sing my song without a burden; thou bringest me out of tune
Shakespeare
Shakespeare
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- cargo
- draft
- freight
- haul
- lading
- load
- loading
- payload
- weight
Verb
- encumber
- freight
- lade
- laden
- load
- lumber
- saddle
- weight
Noun (2)
- chorus
- refrain
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I don't wish to burden you with my problems. burdened the dog with a little backpack
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1) and Verb
Middle English, from Old English byrthen; akin to Old English beran to carry — more at bear
Noun (2)
Middle English burdoun, from Anglo-French burdun a drone bass, of imitative origin
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1541, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing burden
Kids Definition
burden 1 of 2
noun
bur·den ˈbər-dᵊn
1
: something carried : load
2
: something that is hard to endure
a heavy burden of sorrow
3
: the capacity of a ship for carrying cargo a vessel of fifty tons burden
burden
2 of 2verb
burdened; burdening
1
: to have a heavy load or put a heavy load on
2
: to cause to have to deal with
He is burdened with responsibilities.
Medical Definition
burden
noun
bur·den ˈbərd-ᵊn
: load sense 3
worm burden
cancer burden
Legal Definition
burden
noun
bur·den
1
: something that is a duty, obligation, or responsibility
the prosecution has the burden of proving every element of the offense
the statute imposes undue burdens
burden of pleading the necessary elements
2
: burden of proof
burdens 1 of 3
noun (1)
1
as in loads
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported the early settlers often used horses to carry their burdens Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- loads
- payloads
- loadings
- cargoes
- weights
- cargos
- freights
- hauls
- shipments
- ladings
- drafts
- deadweights
- masses
- consignments
- surcharges
- wagonloads
- overloads
- packages
- shiploads
- trainloads
- truckloads
- bundles
- parcels
- carloads
- boatloads
- ballasts
- bales
- bodies
- packets
- manifests
- packs
- bulks
2
as in responsibilities
something one must do because of prior agreement the burden of homework prevented the youngster from joining his friends at the game Synonyms & Similar Words
- responsibilities
- obligations
- duties
- needs
- commitments
- promises
- constraints
- requirements
- vows
- offices
- imperatives
- pledges
- charges
- pacts
- incumbencies
- devoirs
- payments
- debts
- words
- oaths
- arrangements
- contracts
- restraints
- do's
- dos
- covenants
- trusts
- forces
- compulsions
- compacts
- tributes
- setups
- appointments
- reservations
- prearrangements
- engagements
- pre-arrangements
- musts
- coercions
- onuses
- troths
- duresses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exemptions
- graces
- discharges
- waivers
- reliefs
- releases
- stays
- eases
- postponements
- alternatives
- options
- choices
- loopholes
- preferences
- selections
- picks
burdens
2 of 3noun (2)
as in choruses
a part of a song or hymn that is repeated every so often had some trouble coming up with a burden for the song Synonyms & Similar Words
- choruses
- refrains
- responses
- repeats
burdens
3 of 3verb
1
as in weights
to place a weight or burden on burdened the dog with a little backpack Synonyms & Similar Words
- loads
- weights
- encumbers
- freights
- saddles
- taxes
- fills
- packs
- weighs
- piles
- ladens
- stacks
- handicaps
- mounds
- clogs
- lades
- surcharges
- heaps
- strains
- overloads
- overtaxes
- clutters
- lumbers
- hampers
- overburdens
- oppresses
- afflicts
- presses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unburdens
- discharges
- relieves
- unloads
- alleviates
- eases
- lightens
- disburdens
- disencumbers
- unlades
2
as in troubles
to make sad refuses to let everyday problems burden her Synonyms & Similar Words
- troubles
- worries
- concerns
- depresses
- distresses
- dejects
- oppresses
- saddens
- weighs down
- torments
- discomforts
- tortures
- gets down
- bums (out)
- ails
- bothers
- disquiets
- disturbs
- daunts
- afflicts
- dispirits
- dashes
- disheartens
- upsets
- unsettles
- discourages
- dismays
- exercises
- perturbs
- discomposes
- unnerves
- demoralizes
- unhinges
- undoes
- agitates
- freaks (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lightens
- comforts
- rejoices
- cheers (up)
- brightens
- gladdens
- buoys
- assures
- soothes
- stimulates
- invigorates
- reassures
- animates
- consoles
- inspires
- delights
- encourages
- excites
- solaces
- lifts
- pleases
- uplifts
- enlivens
- elates
- heartens
- gratifies
- elevates
- exhilarates
- boosts