burden

1 of 3

noun (1)

bur·​den ˈbər-dᵊn 

1

a

: something that is carried : load

dropped the burden of firewood

b

: duty, responsibility

bore the burden of caring for their 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

burden

2 of 3

verb

burdened; burdening ˈbərd-niŋ 

ˈbər-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: load, oppress

I will not burden you with a lengthy account.

burden

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: a central topic : theme

the burden of the argument

b

: chorus, refrain

2

archaic : a bass or accompanying part

I would sing my song without a burden; thou bringest me out of tune.

—Shakespeare

Synonyms of burden

Noun (1)

• load
• loading
• payload
• cargo
• weight

Verb

• load

Noun (2)

• chorus

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

Noun

Nationally speaking Contemplate the national housing burden compared to the Golden State’s mess, as measured by the median results from these six California metro areas. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 July 2026

Getting treatment for the high-acuity right early delivers outcomes for those with the greatest disease burden. — Bryan Sivak, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Verb

In the United States, nearly half of all renter households for whom rent burden is calculated were cost-burdened and, according to the Pew Research Center, 69 per cent of Americans are very concerned about the cost of housing. — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

People burdened by legal debt are more likely to experience ongoing involvement with the justice system, including probation violations and reincarceration. — Brian Lawton, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, from Old English byrthen; akin to Old English beran to carry — more at bear

Noun (2)

Middle English burdoun, from Anglo-French burdun a drone bass, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1541, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing burden

• beast of burden
• burden of proof
• debt burden
• tax burden
• white man's burden

Rhymes for burden

• overburden
• unburden

Kids Definition

burden

1 of 2 noun

bur·​den ˈbərd-ᵊn 

1

a

: something carried : load

b

: something taken as a duty or responsibility

tax burdens

2

: something hard to take

a burden of sorrow

3

a

: the carrying of loads

beast of burden

b

: capacity for carrying cargo

a ship of 100 tons burden

burden verb

burden

2 of 2 noun

1

: 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

Legal Definition

burden

noun

bur·​den

1

: something that is a duty, obligation, or responsibility

the prosecution has the burden of proving every element of the offense

the statute imposes undue burdens

burden of pleading the necessary elements

2

: burden of proof