load
gb/lˈoʊd/ us/lˈoʊd/
A2
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
Amount carried at once
The amount of things someone or something is carrying at one time.
Usage pattern:
a load of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'load' with 'weight'; 'load' refers to the quantity being carried, not just how heavy it is.
Synonyms
burden (Often implies something difficult or unpleasant to carry, can be physical or emotional.)
Antonyms
unload (Refers to removing items from being carried or transported.)
Collocations
heavy load
|full load
|carry a load
|truck load
|lighten the load
Themes
daily life
|transport
|work
|daily_life
|transportation
Examples
- The truck was carrying a heavy load of bricks.
- She struggled under the load of groceries.
- This elevator has a maximum load of 500 kilograms.
- He put down his load to take a rest.
Learner examples
- The bag has a heavy load.
- The donkey carries a load.
- The man has a big load of books.
- This car has a light load.
Verb
A2
action
2
Put items into/onto something
To put things into something so they can be moved, stored, or used.
Usage pattern:
to load [something] into/onto [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'load' with 'upload' when talking about computers; 'load' can mean put data into memory, while 'upload' means send data to another location.
Synonyms
pack (Often used for putting items into bags or suitcases for travel.)
Antonyms
unload (Means to remove items from a vehicle, container, or device.)
Collocations
load a truck
|load the dishwasher
|load goods
|load software
|load a gun
Themes
daily life
|transport
|technology
|daily_life
|transportation
Examples
- They loaded the boxes into the van.
- Please load the dishwasher after dinner.
- He loaded the software onto his computer.
- The soldiers loaded their rifles.
Learner examples
- We load the bags into the car.
- She loads the clothes into the machine.
- He loads the food into the fridge.
- I load the game on my phone.
Noun
B1
quantity
3
Large quantity (informal)
A lot of something (informal).
Usage pattern:
loads of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use 'loads' in formal writing; it is better suited for informal speech or casual writing.
Synonyms
plenty (Suggests more than enough, usually positive.)
Antonyms
lack (Means not having enough of something.)
Collocations
loads of work
|loads of money
|loads of people
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- We have loads of time before the movie starts.
- She’s got loads of friends in the city.
- There’s loads to do before the deadline.
Learner examples
- I have loads of homework.
- We have loads of food.
- She has loads of clothes.
Noun
technical
B2
quantity
4
Weight/force borne by structure
The weight or force that something holds or supports.
Synonyms
weight (General term for how heavy something is; 'load' in this sense refers to supported weight.)
Antonyms
unburdened (Describes having no weight or force applied.)
Collocations
maximum load
|structural load
|load capacity
Themes
engineering
|construction
|science
|technology
Examples
- This bridge has a maximum load of 20 tons.
- Engineers calculated the load on each pillar.
- The shelf collapsed under the heavy load.
Learner examples
- The truck can carry a big load.
- The table can take this load.
- This bridge can hold that load.
Verb
technical
B1
action
5
Transfer data/programs to memory
To put data or programs into a computer so they can run.
Usage pattern:
to load [software/file] onto [device/computer]
Synonyms
install (Implies setting up software permanently; 'load' can be temporary for use.)
Antonyms
unload (In computing, means to remove from memory.)
Collocations
load a program
|load a file
|load data
Themes
technology
Examples
- The game takes a while to load on this old laptop.
- Please load the spreadsheet before we start working.
- The website failed to load due to server issues.
Learner examples
- The page will load soon.
- I load the game on my computer.
- He loads the file from the USB.
Grammar
Dictionary form
load
IPA
GB/lˈoʊd/
US/lˈoʊd/
Syllables & stress
load (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (load)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: load
- Plural: loads
Verb
- Base: load
- 3rd Person Singular: loads
- Present Participle: loading
- Past: loaded
Word family
Expressions
get a load of
1/ɡˈɛt ə lˈoʊd əv/
idiom
informal
Notice something surprising/impressive
To look at something surprising, interesting, or impressive.
Examples
- Get a load of that car—it's amazing!
- Get a load of what he’s wearing!
load up on
1/lˈoʊd ˈʌp ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
informal
Get a lot for later use
To get and keep a lot of something so you have it for later.
Examples
- We loaded up on snacks before the road trip.
- Investors are loading up on tech stocks this year.
take a load off
1/tˈeɪk ə lˈoʊd ˈɔf/
idiom
informal
Sit and rest after effort
To sit down and relax after working or standing for some time.
Examples
- You look tired—come take a load off for a while.
- After moving all those boxes, I needed to take a load off.
under a heavy load
1/ˈʌndɚ ə hˈɛvi lˈoʊd/
fixed phrase
Under pressure/responsibility
Having a lot of work, responsibility, or stress at one time.
Examples
- She’s been under a heavy load at work lately.
- The team is under a heavy load as the deadline approaches.