burden

/ˈbʌrdn/

/ˈbʌdɛn/

Other forms: burdens; burdened; burdening

Getting hired as the assistant to a pastry chef seemed like a dream come true. But one week and 100 cupcakes later, it’s become a hard-to-bear burden accompanied by a permanent stomachache.

Burden is one of those words that doubles as a noun and a verb. Defined as something you carry or withstand with much difficulty when used as a noun, and as the act of weighing down, overloading, or oppressing when used as a verb, it’s a word with a negative charge. Now that you know what it means, you’re equipped to make sure you don’t take on unnecessary burdens (getting pressured into always carrying your neighbor’s groceries upstairs), or become one yourself!

Definitions of burden

1. noun

   weight to be borne or conveyed
   synonyms: load, loading

   types:

   burthen

   a variant of `burden'

   dead load

   a constant load on a structure (e.g. a bridge) due to the weight of the supported structure itself

   live load, superload

   a variable load on a structure (e.g. a bridge) such as moving traffic

   millstone

   any load that is difficult to carry

   overburden, overload

   an excessive burden

   overload

   an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power

   type of:

   weight

   an artifact that is heavy
2. noun

   an onerous or difficult concern
   “the burden of responsibility”

   synonyms: encumbrance, incumbrance, load, onus

   types:

   dead weight

   an oppressive encumbrance

   fardel

   a burden (figuratively in the form of a bundle)

   imposition

   an uncalled-for burden

   pill

   something unpleasant or offensive that must be tolerated or endured

   type of:

   concern, headache, vexation, worry

   something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
3. verb

   weight down with a load
   synonyms: burthen, weight, weight down

   antonyms:

   unburden

   take the burden off; remove the burden from

   types:

   overburden

   load with excessive weight

   plumb

   weight with lead

   saddle

   load or burden; encumber

   type of:

   charge

   fill or load to capacity
4. verb

   impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to
   synonyms: charge, saddle

   types:

   overburden

   burden with too much work or responsibility

   bear down

   exert a force or cause a strain upon

   deluge, flood out, overwhelm

   charge someone with too many tasks

   adjure

   command solemnly

   type of:

   command, require

   make someone do something
5. noun

   the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
   synonyms: core, effect, essence, gist

   type of:

   import, meaning, significance, signification

   the message that is intended or expressed or signified
6. noun

   the central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse
   type of:

   idea, thought

   the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about