1load 
/ˈloʊd/ noun
plural loads /ˈloʊd/ noun [count] 1 a : something that is lifted and carried
▪ He lifted the load onto his shoulders. ▪ donkeys hauling/carrying large loads ▪ She was carrying a heavy load of legal documents in her briefcase. ▪ a light load
b : an amount that can be carried at one time : an amount that fills something (such as a truck)
▪ He picked up a load of firewood and carried it into the house. ▪ The truck was carrying a full load of sand. ▪ a load of laundry [=the amount of laundry that can fit into a washing machine] — often used in combination ▪ an armload of firewood ▪ a truckload of sand ▪ a boatload of tourists 2 somewhat technical : the weight that is carried or supported by something
▪ Losing weight will lessen the load on your knees. ▪ a load-bearing wall [=a wall that supports the weight of a building] 3 a : something that causes worry or sadness
▪ His death is a heavy load to bear. ▪ The good news has really taken a load off my mind. [=has allowed me to stop worrying; has made me feel relieved]
b : a difficult responsibility
▪ There's a lot of work to be done, and you have to carry/bear your share of the load. [=you have to do your share of the work] ▪ I wish there were some way I could help lift this load [=weight, burden] from his shoulders. ▪ The company is trying to reduce its debt load. [=the amount of money that it owes] 4 informal a : a large amount of something
▪ They had a load of trouble. — usually plural ▪ We had loads of fun. ▪ The house has loads of room. ▪ I have loads [=many things] to do today.
b — used in phrases like a load of garbage, a load of trash, a load of hot air, etc., to say that something is worthless ▪ I think their ideas are a load of garbage! 5 a : the amount of work done or expected to be done
▪ a full load of teaching work ▪ She's taking a full/heavy course load this semester. — see also caseload, workload
b technical : the amount of work done by a machine
▪ the load on an engine
c technical : the amount of power used by an electrical device or produced by a power source
▪ The electrical system failed because it couldn't handle the load.
▪ He lifted the load onto his shoulders. ▪ donkeys hauling/carrying large loads ▪ She was carrying a heavy load of legal documents in her briefcase. ▪ a light load
b : an amount that can be carried at one time : an amount that fills something (such as a truck)
▪ He picked up a load of firewood and carried it into the house. ▪ The truck was carrying a full load of sand. ▪ a load of laundry [=the amount of laundry that can fit into a washing machine] — often used in combination ▪ an armload of firewood ▪ a truckload of sand ▪ a boatload of tourists
▪ Losing weight will lessen the load on your knees. ▪ a load-bearing wall [=a wall that supports the weight of a building]
▪ His death is a heavy load to bear. ▪ The good news has really taken a load off my mind. [=has allowed me to stop worrying; has made me feel relieved]
b : a difficult responsibility
▪ There's a lot of work to be done, and you have to carry/bear your share of the load. [=you have to do your share of the work] ▪ I wish there were some way I could help lift this load [=weight, burden] from his shoulders. ▪ The company is trying to reduce its debt load. [=the amount of money that it owes]
▪ They had a load of trouble. — usually plural ▪ We had loads of fun. ▪ The house has loads of room. ▪ I have loads [=many things] to do today.
b — used in phrases like a load of garbage, a load of trash, a load of hot air, etc., to say that something is worthless ▪ I think their ideas are a load of garbage!
▪ a full load of teaching work ▪ She's taking a full/heavy course load this semester. — see also caseload, workload
b technical : the amount of work done by a machine
▪ the load on an engine
c technical : the amount of power used by an electrical device or produced by a power source
▪ The electrical system failed because it couldn't handle the load.
get a load of
informal : to look at (someone or something)
▪ Get a load of that car! ▪ You should get a load of his pants.
▪ Get a load of that car! ▪ You should get a load of his pants.
take a load off (your feet)
chiefly US, informal : to sit down and relax
▪ You look tired. Come in and take a load off.
▪ You look tired. Come in and take a load off.
