Burden - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT burden /ˈbʌrdn/ /ˈbʌdɛn/ IPA guide

Other forms: burdens; burdened; burdening

Getting hired as the assistant to a pastry chef seemed like a dream come true. But one week and 100 cupcakes later, it’s become a hard-to-bear burden accompanied by a permanent stomachache.

Burden is one of those words that doubles as a noun and a verb. Defined as something you carry or withstand with much difficulty when used as a noun, and as the act of weighing down, overloading, or oppressing when used as a verb, it’s a word with a negative charge. Now that you know what it means, you’re equipped to make sure you don’t take on unnecessary burdens (getting pressured into always carrying your neighbor’s groceries upstairs), or become one yourself!

Definitions of burden

noun weight to be borne or conveyed synonyms: load, loading see moresee less types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... burthen a variant of `burden' dead load a constant load on a structure (e.g. a bridge) due to the weight of the supported structure itself live load, superload a variable load on a structure (e.g. a bridge) such as moving traffic millstone any load that is difficult to carry overburden, overload an excessive burden overload an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power type of: weight an artifact that is heavy
noun an onerous or difficult concern “the burden of responsibility” synonyms: encumbrance, incumbrance, load, onus see moresee less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... dead weight an oppressive encumbrance fardel a burden (figuratively in the form of a bundle) imposition an uncalled-for burden pill something unpleasant or offensive that must be tolerated or endured type of: concern, headache, vexation, worry something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
verb weight down with a load synonyms: burthen, weight, weight down see moresee less antonyms: unburden take the burden off; remove the burden from types: overburden load with excessive weight plumb weight with lead saddle load or burden; encumber type of: charge fill or load to capacity
verb impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to synonyms: charge, saddle see moresee less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... overburden burden with too much work or responsibility bear down exert a force or cause a strain upon deluge, flood out, overwhelm charge someone with too many tasks adjure command solemnly type of: command, require make someone do something
noun the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work synonyms: core, effect, essence, gist see moresee less type of: import, meaning, significance, signification the message that is intended or expressed or signified
noun the central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse see moresee less type of: idea, thought the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

Pronunciation US /ˈbʌrdn/ UK /ˈbʌdɛn/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘burden'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing burden

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act I

Here are links to our lists for the play: Act I, Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V Here are links to other plays by William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, Hamlet, King Lear, Julius Caesar, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, Othello, A Midsummer Night's Dream

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

The speaker of this poem, who is mourning a lost love, is visited in the night by a raven who speaks a single word: "Nevermore." Read the full text here. Click here to explore other works by Edgar Allan Poe.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie

Arnold Spirit, Jr., a young cartoonist who lives on the Spokane Indian reservation, decides to transfer to a school in which he will be the only American Indian student.

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