load

Everyday

1. A load is something heavy that is carried, for example by a truck, a person or a washing machine. tree →
2. To load means to put things into or onto a car, ship, machine or bag. tree →
3. A load or loads (informal) means a lot: loads of friends. tree →
4. To load a computer program or page means to make it open and appear. tree →

In the lessons

In science and engineering, the load is the weight a structure, beam or lever must hold up; in lever lessons it is the weight you lift. In maths, «each truck carries a load of 3 tonnes» is a rate per truck. At home: load the dishwasher, a load of washing. Safety: do not overload a bag, plug or boat. Phrases: a load of, loads of, load up, overload, workload.

Examples

• The truck carries a heavy load of sand. tree →
• Help me load the car for the holiday. tree →
• I have loads of homework tonight. tree →
• Put a load of washing in the machine. tree →
• The page is taking ages to load. tree →
• The bridge can hold a load of 20 tonnes. tree →
• A lever helps you lift a heavy load with less effort. tree →
• The camel carried a load on its back. tree →

Note

«Loads of» is informal; in school writing use «a lot of» or «many». Load (carry) sounds like «lode» (a line of metal ore). Maths: total load = number of loads x size of each load: 4 loads of 25 kg = 100 kg.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means a heavy burden carried by an animal. Isaiah says Babylon's idols become a load on weary animals.

Interpretation. Isaiah mocks idols: instead of carrying their worshippers, they must be carried. This is set against God, who carries Israel.

Examples

• Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth; their idols are upon the beasts, and upon the cattle; the things that ye carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary beast. (Prophets ISA.46.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Loads of» is informal; in school writing use «a lot of» or «many». Load (carry) sounds like «lode» (a line of metal ore). Maths: total load = number of loads x size of each load: 4 loads of 25 kg = 100 kg.