burden
burden Lexical Profile
burden Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A duty, responsibility, or misfortune that causes hardship, anxiety, or grief.
"Rising healthcare costs have become a significant financial burden for many families."
A heavy load that is carried physically.
"The hikers set down their heavy burdens to rest beside the mountain stream."
The main theme, gist, or central idea of a speech, book, or argument; a recurring refrain or chorus of a song.
"The main burden of the committee's report was the urgent need for infrastructure reform."
• verb
To load heavily or impose a difficult duty, expense, or emotional weight upon someone.
"She did not want to burden her colleagues with her personal troubles."
• Rhymes for burden
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English byrþen ('a load or weight'), derived from the Proto-Germanic root *ber- ('to carry, bear'). In the sense of a musical refrain or main theme, it is an alteration of Middle English bourdon, from Old French bourdon ('humming of bees, drone of a bagpipe').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.