unload

verb

un·​load ˌən-ˈlōd How to pronounce unload (audio)
unloaded; unloading; unloads

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

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 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.
Lewis wasn't going to take that lying down, and in typical messy fashion, unloaded his hot takes on Whitfield. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024 The boys’ mom had just parked at a shopping center and was outside of the car, unloading items to bring inside, at the time of the shooting, Huerta told Los Angeles ABC station KABC. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024 The train is taken out of service, passengers unloaded, a new train brought in for the passengers, and the old equipment sent back to the repair shop at 10 miles an hour. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Dec. 2024 From ‘no word for art’ to one of Indian Country’s biggest industries At the Heard Museum in Phoenix last March, artists unloaded beadwork and baskets, paintings, pottery and photography, jewelry, stone and wood sculptures, textiles and delicate works in glass. Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unload 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of unload was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unload

Cite this Entry

“Unload.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unload. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

unload

verb
un·​load ˌən-ˈlōd How to pronounce unload (audio)
ˈən-
1
a
: to take away or off : remove
unload cargo from a hold
b
: to take a load from
unload a ship
also : to rid or set free : unburden
unload your mind of worries
2
: to get rid of or be freed of a load or burden
the ship is unloading now
3
: to sell in large quantities : dump
unload surplus goods

More from Merriam-Webster on unload

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