load
(lōd)n.
1.
a. A weight or mass that is supported: the load on an arch.
b. The overall force to which a structure is subjected in supporting a weight or mass or in resisting externally applied forces.
2.
a. Something that is carried, as by a vehicle, person, or animal: a load of firewood.
b. The quantity that is or can be carried at one time.
3.
a. The share of work allocated to or required of a person, machine, group, or organization.
b. The demand for services or performance made on a machine or system.
4. The amount of material that can be inserted into a device or machine at one time: The washing machine has a full load.
5.
a. A single charge of ammunition for a firearm.
b. Vulgar Slang An ejaculation of semen.
6.
a. A mental weight or burden: Good news took a load off my mind.
b. A responsibility regarded as oppressive.
7. The external mechanical resistance against which a machine acts.
8. Electricity
a. The power output of a generator or power plant.
b. A device or the resistance of a device to which power is delivered.
9. A fee that a mutual fund charges to an investor when the investor purchases or redeems shares in the fund.
10. often loads Informal A great number or amount: There were loads of people at the parade.
11. Derogatory Slang A heavy or overweight person.
12. Genetic load.
v. load·ed, load·ing, loads
v.tr.
1.
a. To put (something) into or onto a structure or conveyance: loading grain onto a train.
b. To put something into or onto (a structure or conveyance): loaded the tanker with crude oil.
2. To provide or fill nearly to overflowing; heap: loaded the table with food.
3. To give worries or difficulties to; weigh down; burden: was loaded with responsibility.
4. To insert (a necessary material) into a device: loaded rounds into the rifle.
5. To insert a necessary material into: loaded the printer with paper.
6. Games To make (dice) heavier on one side by adding weight.
7. To charge with additional meanings, implications, or emotional import: loaded the question to trick the witness.
8. To raise the power demand in (an electrical circuit), as by adding resistance.
9. To increase (an insurance premium or mutual fund share price) by adding expenses or sale costs.
10. Baseball To have or put runners on (first, second, and third base).
11. Computers To transfer (data) from a storage device into a computer's memory.
v.intr.
Idioms: 1. To receive a load: Container ships can load rapidly.
2. To charge a firearm with ammunition.
3. To put or place a load into or onto a structure, device, or conveyance.
4. Computers To be transferred from a storage device into a computer's memory.
get a load of
1. Slang To look at; notice.
2. To listen to: Get a load of this!
have a load on
Slang To be intoxicated.
take a load off
To sit or lie down.
[Middle English lode, alteration (influenced by laden, to load) of lade, course, way, from Old English lād; see leit- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
loads
(ləʊdz)pl n
(often foll by of) a lot: loads to eat.
adv
(intensifier): loads better; thanks loads.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  loads - a large number or amount; "made lots of new friends"; "she amassed stacks of newspapers"large indefinite amount, large indefinite quantity - an indefinite quantity that is above the average in size or magnitude |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.