First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1burden
noun bur·den \ˈbər-dən\
Definition of BURDEN
1
a : something that is carried : load b : duty, responsibility
2
: something oppressive or worrisome
3
a : the bearing of a load —usually used in the phrase beast of burden b : capacity for carrying cargo <a ship of a hundred tons burden>
4
: load 11 <worm burden> <cancer burden>
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Origin of BURDEN
Middle English, from Old English byrthen; akin to Old English beran to carry — more at bear
2burden
verb
: to make (someone) hold or carry something heavy or accept or deal with something difficult : to put a heavy burden on (someone)
bur·denedbur·den·ing \ˈbərd-niŋ, ˈbər-dən-iŋ\
Full Definition of BURDEN
transitive verb
See burden defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BURDEN
1541
Related to BURDEN
3burden
noun
Definition of BURDEN
1
archaic : a bass or accompanying part
Origin of BURDEN
Middle English burdoun, from Anglo-French burdun a drone bass, of imitative origin
First Known Use: 14th century
BURDEN Defined for Kids
1burden
noun bur·den \ˈbər-dən\
Definition of BURDEN for Kids
1
: something carried : load
2
: something that is hard to take <a heavy burden of sorrow>
3
: the capacity of a ship for carrying cargo <a vessel of fifty tons burden>
2burden
verb
bur·denedbur·den·ing
Definition of BURDEN for Kids
1
: to have a heavy load or put a heavy load on
2
: to cause to have to deal with <He is burdened with responsibilities.>
Medical Dictionary
burden
noun bur·den \ˈbərd-ən\
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