burden

1 of 3

noun (1)

bur·​den ˈbər-dᵊn 

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

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

Noun (1)

• cargo
• draft
• freight
• haul
• lading
• load
• loading
• payload
• weight

Verb

• encumber
• freight
• lade
• laden
• load
• lumber
• saddle
• weight

Noun (2)

• chorus
• refrain

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

The organizations that succeed will be those that view AI governance not as a compliance burden but as a business enabler, a foundation for building trusted, transparent and effective AI systems that drive innovation while managing risk. —Abhi Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

For example, if $100 million in pension savings is achieved, and towns are still collecting $1 billion in property taxes, then the state would have communities reduce that burden to $900 million — and send cities and towns $100 million to offset their revenue loss. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025

Verb

Compliance, for one, poses a significant hurdle, specifically for healthcare organizations already burdened by tight margins and complex operational terrains. —Chris Bowen, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The justices raised several examples to discern the point at which the right to free exercise of religion would be burdened. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025

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

• bourdon
• 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