unload

verb un·load \ ˌən-ˈlōd \

Definition of unload

transitive verb

1 a (1) :to take off :deliver

(2) :to take the cargo from

unload the truck

b :to give outlet to :pour forth

unloaded her bitter feelings

2 :to relieve of something burdensome, unwanted, or oppressive

unloaded the pack animals

unloaded himself to his friend

3 :to draw the charge from

unloaded the gun

4 :to sell or dispose of especially in large quantities :dump

5 :to hit or propel with a great release of power

unloaded his ninth homer

intransitive verb

1 :to perform the act of unloading

2 :to release or deliver something especially with power

unloaded on the ball

3 :to give forth a usually sudden angry outburst

the coach unloaded on his players

—

unloader

noun

See unload defined for English-language learners

See unload defined for kids

Examples of unload in a Sentence

It took four hours to unload the truck.
Could you help me unload the car?
After the ship docked, they unloaded its cargo.
I have to unload the groceries.
Most ships unload at another dock now.
The train made several stops to unload passengers.
Rumor has it that the manager wants to unload him. Maybe he'll be traded to another team.
She unloaded a huge amount of stock when prices fell.

Recent Examples of unload from the Web

And Houston’s flood is truly a disaster of biblical proportions: The sky unloaded 9 trillion gallons of water on the city within two days, and much more might fall before Harvey dissipates, producing as much as 60 inches of rain.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Houston's Flood Is a Design Problem," 28 Aug. 2017
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Airline passenger tried to bring loaded .45 pistol onto Charlotte plane, TSA says," 24 Aug. 2017
In 1942, in the midst of World War II, the oil tanker Virginia was anchored off the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico, waiting to unload its cargo in nearby New Orleans.

— zahra ahmad, Science | AAAS, "The Germans torpedoed a ship during World War II. The wreck is now revealing secrets about submarine mudslides," 21 Aug. 2017
Before Le could get to the friend’s apartment, however, the shooter unloaded several rounds, hitting him in the torso.

— chris palmer, Philly.com, "$5K reward offered in Havertown killing," 30 July 2017
On one evening earlier this month, five large ships docking in Hamad Port unloaded sheep from Australia, food from Turkey and cars made in South Korea.

— Bloomberg.com, "Tiny Qatar Is Living Large Despite Monthlong Arab Siege," 12 July 2017
On one evening earlier this month, five large ships docking in Hamad Port unloaded sheep from Australia, food from Turkey and cars made in South Korea.

— Bloomberg.com, "Tiny Qatar Is Living Large Despite Monthlong Arab Siege," 12 July 2017
On one evening earlier this month, five large ships docking in Hamad Port unloaded sheep from Australia, food from Turkey and cars made in South Korea.

— aya batrawy, The Seattle Times, "Tiny Qatar is living large despite monthlong Arab siege," 11 July 2017
Daniel Archer helps unload some of the items given to him through the Will County Veteran's Assistance Commission and local veterans groups.

— alicia fabbre, Daily Southtown, "Groups help needy veterans in Will County," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unload.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unload

1523

unload Synonyms

Synonyms

disburden, discharge, disencumber, off-load, unburden, unlade, unpack

Antonyms

load, pack

Related Words

free, lighten, relieve; clear, empty, evacuate, vacate, void

Near Antonyms

charge, cram, fill, heap, jam, jam-pack, stuff

UNLOAD Defined for English Language Learners

unload

verb

Definition of unload for English Language Learners

: to remove something (such as cargo) from a truck, ship, etc.
: to allow (someone) to leave a train, ship, etc.
: to get rid of (something or someone) quickly

UNLOAD Defined for Kids

unload

verb un·load \ ˌən-ˈlōd \

Definition of unload for Students

unloaded; unloading

1 :to take away or off :remove

Workers unloaded cargo.

2 :to take a load from

Help me unload the car.

3 :to get rid of or be freed from a load or burden

The ship is unloading.

Learn More about unload

See words that rhyme with unload Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unload Spanish Central: Translation of unload Nglish: Translation of unload for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unload for Arabic speakers

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unload

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unloader

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Examples of unload in a Sentence

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First Known Use of unload

unload Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

UNLOAD Defined for English Language Learners

unload

Definition of unload for English Language Learners

UNLOAD Defined for Kids

unload

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