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burden

/ˈbɝdn̩/noun, verb2 syllables

Burden means: an onerous or difficult concern.

Synonyms for burden14

noun, as in an onerous or difficult concern

load, encumbrance, incumbrance, onus

noun, as in the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

effect, essence, core, gist

noun, as in weight to be borne or conveyed

load, loading

verb, as in weight down with a load

burthen, weight, weight down

verb, as in impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to

charge, saddle

Opposites of burden

unburden

What does burden mean?6

noun

1

an onerous or difficult concern“the burden of responsibility”

2

the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

3

weight to be borne or conveyed

4

the central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse

verb

1

weight down with a load

2

impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to“He charged her with cleaning up all the files over the weekend”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Burden in a sentence

  • Being a perfectionist is a blessing, not a burden.rafaeldejesus8199
  • Knowledge rejuvenates the soul, and lightens the burden of old age.Cangarejo
  • The more effective a sunscreen is, the more burden it puts on the skin.Winter
  • For most elderly people, life is a heavy burden.carlosalberto
  • The burden has been heavy, it's time to get rid of it.anzart
  • Loneliness may be a burden for some, but a refuge for others.samir_t
  • Hunger, when unsatisfied, becomes a burden that the mind cannot ignore.samir_t
  • On a neighbor's horse, the burden isn't heavy.unknown

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of burden

as a noun

plural
burdens

as a verb

past tense
burdened
present participle
burdening
third-person singular
burdens
past participle
burdened