[ləʊd], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or is about to be carried
(e.g: in addition to their own food, they must carry a load of up to eighty pounds)

- a weight or source of pressure borne by someone or something
(e.g: the increased load on the heart caused by a raised arterial pressure)

- a lot of (often used to express disapproval or dislike of something)
(e.g: she was talking a load of rubbish)

- the amount of power supplied by a source; the resistance of moving parts to be overcome by a motor
(e.g: if the wire in the fuse is too thin to accept the load it will melt)


Phrases:
- get a load of
- get a load on
- load the bases
- load the dice against someone
- load the dice in favour of someone
- take a load off one's feet
- take a load off someone's mind
- under load

Origin:
Old English lād ‘way, journey, conveyance’, of Germanic origin: related to German Leite, also to lead; compare with lode. The verb dates from the late 15th century

[ləʊd], (Verb)

Definitions:
- fill (a vehicle, ship, container, etc.) with a large amount of something
(e.g: they go to Calais to load up their vans with cheap beer)

- make (someone or something) carry or hold a large or excessive quantity of heavy things
(e.g: Elaine was loaded down with bags full of shopping)

- charge (a firearm) with ammunition
(e.g: he began to load the gun)

- add an extra charge to (an insurance premium) to take account of a factor that increases the risk


Phrases:
- get a load of
- get a load on
- load the bases
- load the dice against someone
- load the dice in favour of someone
- take a load off one's feet
- take a load off someone's mind
- under load

Origin:
Old English lād ‘way, journey, conveyance’, of Germanic origin: related to German Leite, also to lead; compare with lode. The verb dates from the late 15th century