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
Synonyms
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
Chris Bowen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
The property tax burden has already shifted more toward homeowners in recent years.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
This group is burdened by relatively heavier debt loads and are more exposed to inflationary pressures.
—Steven Dudash, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for burden 
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Noun
Appointments were elusive, follow-ups were nonexistent and coordination burdens fell heavily on us—the patient and their family members.
—Chris Bowen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
The property tax burden has already shifted more toward homeowners in recent years.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
But Paddington in Peru is burdened with the unenviable task of following up two near-perfect predecessors, Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017).
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
This group is burdened by relatively heavier debt loads and are more exposed to inflationary pressures.
—Steven Dudash, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for burden
Dictionary Entries Near burden
Cite this Entry
“Burden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burden. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
burden
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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