1
: carrying a load
a loaded freight train
: such as
a
: containing an explosive charge
a loaded warhead
: having bullets inside
a loaded handgun
b
of a camera
: having film inside
2
informal
: having a large amount of something
a store loaded with goods
a report loaded with errors
: such as
a
: having a large amount of money : wealthy
She left them a fortune and the family is now loaded.
b
: equipped with an abundance of features
a fully loaded car
c
: filled or topped with many things
a loaded baked potato
d
: featuring a great amount of top-level talent
a basketball team with a loaded roster
a loaded competition
3
chiefly US slang
: intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
especially
: drunk
They got loaded at the party.
… no matter how loaded he got, Billy did his drinking at home and always put the cans in the recycling bin … —
Stephen King
Stephen King 4
a
: carrying a hidden or secondary meaning that is capable of causing unease
Because "asylum" is a loaded term, it can draw attention to crucial issues facing vulnerable Americans, but it also tends to foreclose discussion of real solutions.—The New York Times
The New York Times"You tell me," Cora said. "Do you think I had a therapist?" Aaron's mouth fell open. That was a loaded question. Any answer would be wrong.—Parnell Hall
Parnell Hall
b
: weighted to favor a specific outcome
loaded dice
(figurative) … the dice of life are loaded in favor of first borns in ways they simply aren't for any siblings who come along later.—Jeffrey Kluger
Jeffrey Klugerloaded
2 of 2past tense and past participle of load entry 2
Synonyms
Examples of loaded in a Sentence
Adjective
He said he didn't know the gun was loaded.
the department stores were loaded with goods for the holiday shopping season
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Moore, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
During a search of Cutler's car, a rifle was allegedly found in the backset and a loaded handgun was found in the center console.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024
According to the sheriff office’s online inmate database, Miller was booked for possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024
Plus, a man has been arrested near a Donald Trump rally with loaded firearms and multiple passports bearing different names.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loaded 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Adjective
Jay Cutler Was 'Slurring His Words' and Had 'Bloodshot Eyes' at Time of DUI Arrest: Police
After searching Cutler's car, the arresting officer found a rifle and a loaded handgun, per the affidavit.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
During a search of Cutler's car, a rifle was allegedly found in the backset and a loaded handgun was found in the center console.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024
According to the sheriff office’s online inmate database, Miller was booked for possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024
Plus, a man has been arrested near a Donald Trump rally with loaded firearms and multiple passports bearing different names.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loaded
Dictionary Entries Near loaded
Cite this Entry
“Loaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loaded. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
loaded
adjective
load·ed
ˈlōd-əd 
1
slang
: drunk entry 2 sense 1
2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share