as in loads
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported
the space shuttle can carry a maximum payload of approximately 50,000 pounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of payloads
The platform isn't designed to fly human passengers; it's geared toward the support of research or other payloads that require retrieval after a stint in space, such as pharmaceuticals and other products of orbital manufacturing.
—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
22 June 2026
The company is targeting uncrewed cargo flights as early as 2028, with Tesla’s Optimus robots potentially among the first payloads.
—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Based on the company's H145 platform, the aircraft replaces the cockpit with clamshell cargo doors, freeing up additional space for payloads.
—
David Szondy
june 21,
New Atlas,
21 June 2026
Its open design lets operators add commercial, government, or custom payloads without major redesign.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
As of October 2026, the payloads are Astrolab’s FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) rover, Astrobotic’s own CubeRover, and several additional payloads to the moon.
—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Over the past 18 months, Blue Origin finally seemed to be gaining momentum, getting closer to reliably launching a gigantic rocket, called New Glenn, that could lift greater payloads and potentially challenge SpaceX’s domination of the sector.
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The Week Us,
TheWeek,
16 June 2026
There is no way to maneuver or dispose of them if left abandoned in orbit after releasing their payloads.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
Both rockets released their payloads—think ion guages, magnetometers, and vapor chasers; the latter released colorful puffs of gas—during an auroral substorm.
—
Michael D'estries,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
22 June 2026
The company is targeting uncrewed cargo flights as early as 2028, with Tesla’s Optimus robots potentially among the first payloads.
—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Based on the company's H145 platform, the aircraft replaces the cockpit with clamshell cargo doors, freeing up additional space for payloads.
—
David Szondy
june 21,
New Atlas,
21 June 2026
Its open design lets operators add commercial, government, or custom payloads without major redesign.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
As of October 2026, the payloads are Astrolab’s FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) rover, Astrobotic’s own CubeRover, and several additional payloads to the moon.
—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Over the past 18 months, Blue Origin finally seemed to be gaining momentum, getting closer to reliably launching a gigantic rocket, called New Glenn, that could lift greater payloads and potentially challenge SpaceX’s domination of the sector.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
16 June 2026
There is no way to maneuver or dispose of them if left abandoned in orbit after releasing their payloads.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
Both rockets released their payloads—think ion guages, magnetometers, and vapor chasers; the latter released colorful puffs of gas—during an auroral substorm.
—
Michael D'estries,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payloads
Noun
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Lithium batteries often maintain more consistent performance throughout their charge cycle, a trait that may be noticeable when tackling hills or carrying heavier loads.
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This leads to higher fungal loads.
Noun
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Many tankers have been diverted to pick up cargoes elsewhere, and crossing oceans to get back to the Mideast can take weeks.
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Look for a pair with rich texture, like snakeskin, woven leather, or crocodile print, to dress up a pair of light-wash cargos.
Noun
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As Fed chair, Greenspan relished poring over obscure economic data, from monthly boxcar loadings to steel production, all in a bid to assess where the economy was going.
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As Fed chair, Greenspan relished poring over obscure economic data, from monthly boxcar loadings to steel production, all in a bid to assess where the economy was headed.
Noun
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Using one-time revenues for ongoing obligations is not fiscally responsible, masks structural deficits and shifts burdens to future budgets.
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According to the European Commission, the duty-free de minimis exemption was introduced in order to alleviate administrative burdens for customs authorities and businesses, but the digitalization of customs procedures has ameliorated that issue.
Noun
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The regulator mechanism traditionally used to control timekeeping accuracy has been replaced by four small, adjustable weights mounted directly on the balance, enabling even more precise and consistent adjustment.
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The data showed that people who lifted weights, no matter how infrequently, were less likely to die from heart attacks or Alzheimer’s disease compared with people who did no resistance training.
Cite this Entry
“Payloads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payloads. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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