loaded

1 of 2

adjective

load·​ed ˈlō-dəd How to pronounce loaded (audio)
1
: carrying a load
a loaded freight train
: such as
a
: containing an explosive charge
a loaded warhead
: having bullets inside
a loaded handgun
b
of a camera : having film inside
2
informal : having a large amount of something
a store loaded with goods
a report loaded with errors
: such as
a
: having a large amount of money : wealthy
She left them a fortune and the family is now loaded.
b
: equipped with an abundance of features
a fully loaded car
c
: filled or topped with many things
a loaded baked potato
d
: featuring a great amount of top-level talent
a basketball team with a loaded roster
a loaded competition
3
chiefly US slang : intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
especially : drunk
They got loaded at the party.
… no matter how loaded he got, Billy did his drinking at home and always put the cans in the recycling bin … Stephen King
4
a
: carrying a hidden or secondary meaning that is capable of causing unease
Because "asylum" is a loaded term, it can draw attention to crucial issues facing vulnerable Americans, but it also tends to foreclose discussion of real solutions.The New York Times
"You tell me," Cora said. "Do you think I had a therapist?" Aaron's mouth fell open. That was a loaded question. Any answer would be wrong.Parnell Hall
b
: weighted to favor a specific outcome
loaded dice
(figurative) … the dice of life are loaded in favor of first borns in ways they simply aren't for any siblings who come along later.Jeffrey Kluger

loaded

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of load entry 2

Examples of loaded in a Sentence

Adjective He said he didn't know the gun was loaded. the department stores were loaded with goods for the holiday shopping season
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Portland recorded a 36-46 record, which was good for the No. 13 seed in the loaded Western Conference. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 And with the loaded Western Conference adding another household name in Flagg, Charlotte has plenty of options at No. 4 as the Hornets look to break the NBA’s longest playoff drought of nine seasons. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025 According to state police, a loaded 9mm handgun was allegedly located in the bag. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025 Johnson led the Spurs to a 34-48 record, which was good for the 13th seed in the loaded Western Conference. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for loaded

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of loaded was in 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loaded. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

loaded

adjective
load·​ed ˈlōd-əd How to pronounce loaded (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on loaded

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