burden

1 of 3

noun (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 3

verb

burdened; burdening ˈbərd-niŋ 

ˈbər-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: load, oppress

I will not burden you with a lengthy account.

burden

3 of 3

noun (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

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

Examples of burden in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the early settlers often used horses to carry their burdens

the burden of homework prevented the youngster from joining his friends at the game

Verb

I don't wish to burden you with my problems.

burdened the dog with a little backpack

Noun (2)

had some trouble coming up with a burden for the song

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Women disproportionately shoulder this burden, not just in their personal lives but also at work. —Elpida Kokkota, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Payers are focused on reducing costs to boost profitability, often leading to friction with healthcare providers who face increasing administrative burdens and diminishing financial returns. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

Verb

These costs can burden families, impacting economic stability. —Kevin Ali, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Many patients, advocacy groups and experts say the industry and U.S. health-care system are flawed or broken entirely, often burdening Americans who simply need care with exorbitant costs and daunting hurdles. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024

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

• beast of burden
• burden of proof
• debt burden
• tax burden
• white man's burden

Kids Definition

burden

1 of 2 noun

bur·​den ˈbərd-ᵊn 

1

a

: something carried : load

b

: something taken as a duty or responsibility

tax burdens

2

: something hard to take

a burden of sorrow

3

a

: the carrying of loads

beast of burden

b

: capacity for carrying cargo

a ship of 100 tons burden

burden verb

burden

2 of 2 noun

1

: the refrain or chorus of a song

2

: a main idea : gist

Etymology

Noun

Old English byrthen "load, burden"

Noun

an altered form of earlier bourdon "a refrain or chorus of a song," from Middle English burdoun (same meaning), from early French burdun "bass horn"

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