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 In the evening, the military said its cargo had been unloaded onto 12 trucks. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Mar. 2024 It was unloaded in a case, and the ammunition was hidden in another drawer. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Rihanna reportedly never moved into her pricey penthouse and has been trying to unload the place off-market for the past few months; current listings reveal the place offers clearly staged interiors. Jmcclain, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 For example, the glass and ceramics items won't just be left in boxes; they'll be unloaded into shelving and cabinets specially built for them. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 The Angels shortstop unloaded on the first pitch out of Black’s hand, placing it on the berm beyond the left-field wall. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 But all shipments must go through a laborious process of loading onto trucks that travel to an Israeli inspection site, only to be unloaded and reloaded again to then join an ever-growing line of vehicles waiting to enter the Palestinian territory. Alex Horton, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 With time to kill, the truck driver, a man in white Fila sneakers and black track pants, seemed to notice how young Mr. McGrath and the employees ready to unload the truck looked. Charles W. McFarlane, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 This is the second and final batch of items being unloaded by the actor, who previously sold a stash in a Propstore auction in London in November. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unload.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 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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