dead load
noun
: a constant load in a structure (such as a bridge, building, or machine) that is due to the weight of the members, the supported structure, and permanent attachments or accessories
Examples of dead load in a Sentence
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The Tennessee Department of Transportation has hired an engineering firm and a full mathematical analysis is under way to look at dead load data and models and discuss potential repair solutions.
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Nick Valencia, CNN, 13 May 2021
But pure gravity becomes the rub—the dead load of the actual bridge.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 9 June 2020
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Nick Valencia, CNN, 13 May 2021
But pure gravity becomes the rub—the dead load of the actual bridge.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 9 June 2020
Cite this Entry
“Dead load.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20load. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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