Load \load\, n. [OE. lode load, way; properly the same word as lode, but confused with lade, load, v. See Lade, Lead, v., Lode.]

1. A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load

   He might such a load To town with his ass carry --Gower

2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading
3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care.

   A . . . load of guilt. --Ray.

   Our life's a load. --Dryden

4. A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters
5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder
6. Weight or violence of blows. [Obs.] --Milton
7. (Mach.) The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working
8. goods carried by a large vehicle [syn: cargo, lading, freight, loading, payload, shipment, consignment]
9. (informal) an amount of alcohol sufficient to intoxicate; "he got a load on and started a brawl"
10. the power output of a generator or power plant
11. an onerous or difficult concern; "the burden of responsibility"; "that's a load off my mind" [syn: burden, encumbrance, incumbrance, onus]
12. a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks [syn: lode]
13. the part of a missile or torpedo that carries the explosive charge [syn: warhead, payload]
14. a device to which electrical power is delivered

Load \load\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. loaded; p. pr. & vb. n loading. Loaden is obsolete, and laden belongs to lade.]

1. To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon

   I strive all in vain to load the cart. --Gascoigne

   I have loaden me with many spoils. --Shak

   Those honors deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house. --Shak

2. Fill or load; "load a car" [syn: lade, laden, load up]
3. Provide with munition; to charge with a load, as a gun
4. Fill by packing tightly; "stow the cart" [syn: stow]
5. Put (something) on a structure or conveyance; "load the bags onto the trucks"