burden Meaning & Definition
What Does Burden Mean?
As a noun, burden means A heavy load. It is also used to mean A responsibility, onus. As a verb, it means To encumber with a burden. As a verb, it means To encumber with a literal or figurative burden.
Burden at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈbɜːdn̩// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | essence, charge and core |
| Antonyms | disburden and unburden |
| Plural | burdens |
| Verb forms | burdens, burdening, burdened |
Burden Definition (Noun)
- A heavy load.
- A responsibility, onus.
- A cause of worry; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive.
- The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry.
a ship of a hundred tons burden
- The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin.
- The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace.
- A fixed quantity of certain commodities.
A burden of gad steel is 120 pounds.
- A birth.
… that bore thee at a burden two fair sons.
- The total amount of toxins, parasites, cancer cells, plaque or similar present in an organism.
- The distance between rows of blastholes parallel to the major free face (i.e. face of the excavation)
Burden as a Verb
- To encumber with a burden.
to burden a nation with taxes
- To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable).
Noun
- A phrase or theme that recurs at the end of each verse in a folk song or ballad.
- The drone of a bagpipe.
- A theme, a core idea.
the burden of the argument
Verb
- To encumber with a literal or figurative burden.
to burden a nation with taxes
Noun
- Theme, core idea.
the burden of the argument
Synonyms of Burden
Burden synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Burden
Burden in a Sentence
a ship of a hundred tons burden
A burden of gad steel is 120 pounds.
… that bore thee at a burden two fair sons.
to burden a nation with taxes
the burden of the argument
Word Forms & Grammar
burden (plural burdens)
burden (third-person singular simple present burdens, present participle burdening, simple past and past participle burdened)
Words That Rhyme With Burden
Origin of Burden
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English birthene, birthen, birden, from Old English byrden, byrþen, from Proto-West Germanic *burþini, from *burþī, from Proto-Germanic *burþį̄, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“to carry, bear”).
Origin 2: Inherited from Middle English burdoun (“accompaniment”), from Old French bordon (“drone”), from Medieval Latin burdō. Doublet of bourdon.
Pronouncing Burden
Burden is pronounced //ˈbɜːdn̩// and has 1 syllable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burden
Is burden a noun or a verb?
Burden is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for burden?
Close synonyms of burden are essence, charge and core. See the full list of burden synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of burden?
The plural of burden is burdens.
What is the past tense of burden?
The past tense of burden is burdened. The present participle is burdening.