burden

verb

burdened; burdening ˈbərd-niŋ 

ˈbər-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: load, oppress

I will not burden you with a lengthy account.

Synonyms of burden

• load

Examples of burden in a Sentence

I don't wish to burden you with my problems.

burdened the dog with a little backpack

Recent Examples on the Web

The California Chamber of Commerce and dozens of industry groups back the reforms, arguing costs burden employers and local budgets. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026

Plus your burdened by the ,'Serious ' players who pray to 1x break 100. —Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Ultimately, my focus is on ensuring that working families in San José, especially in District 5, are not disproportionately burdened by rising energy costs, while still investing in the infrastructure needed for a reliable and resilient energy system. —Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

The government's general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of gross income on housing, including rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utilities, to avoid being cost burdened. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

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

Old English byrthen "load, burden"

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