burden

¹

[ bur-dn ]

noun

1. that which is carried; load:

   a horse's burden of rider and pack.

2. that which is borne with difficulty; obligation; onus:

   the burden of leadership.

   Synonyms: impediment, encumbrance, weight

3. Nautical.
   1. the weight of a ship's cargo.
   2. the carrying capacity of a ship.
4. Mining. overburden ( def 3 ).
5. Metallurgy. the minerals charged into a blast furnace or steelmaking furnace.
6. Accounting. overhead ( def 6 ).

verb (used with object)

1. to load heavily.
2. to load oppressively; trouble.

   Synonyms: vex, grieve, plague, perturb, afflict, try, saddle, weigh down

burden

²

[ bur-dn ]

noun

1. the main point, message, or idea.

   Synonyms: essence, nucleus, crux, core, substance, gist

2. Music. the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.

burden

¹

/ ˈbɜːdən /

noun

1. something that is carried; load
2. something that is exacting, oppressive, or difficult to bear onerous

   the burden of responsibility

3. nautical
   1. the cargo capacity of a ship
   2. the weight of a ship's cargo

verb

1. sometimes foll by up to put or impose a burden on; load
2. to weigh down; oppress

   the old woman was burdened with cares

burden

²

/ ˈbɜːdən /

noun

1. a line of words recurring at the end of each verse of a ballad or similar song; chorus or refrain
2. the principal or recurrent theme of a speech, book, etc
3. another word for bourdon

Other Words From

• burden·er noun
• burden·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of burden¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, birthen, birden, Old English byrthen; akin to German Bürde, Gothic baurthei; bear ¹

Origin of burden²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bordoun, burdoun “drone, bass,” from Old French bourdon “droning sound, instrument making such a sound”

Word History and Origins

Origin of burden¹

Old English byrthen ; related to beran to bear ¹, Old Frisian berthene burden, Old High German burdin

Origin of burden²

C16: from Old French bourdon bass horn, droning sound, of imitative origin

Synonym Study

See load.

Example Sentences

Cardiovascular disease and dementia are major public health challenges that cause a significant burden on both healthcare and society.

From Science Daily

However, the reduced price tag is not worth the extra risk and can burden buyers with long-term insurance costs.

From Science Daily

Since the 1980s, Project 2025 asserted, Medicaid had “evolved into a cumbersome, complicated, and unaffordable burden on nearly every state.”

From Los Angeles Times

"This approach will ensure a smooth and efficient distribution of payments, without the additional burden of application forms or red tape," he said.

From BBC

In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, they said the "cumulative burden" of the Budget changes, and other policies already in the pipeline, would amount to an additional £7bn in costs next year.

From BBC

Related Words

• anxiety
• concern
• difficulty
• duty
• hardship
• load
• onus
• responsibility
• strain
• task
• tax
• trouble
• worry