At times, people carry a load or something that seems to be too heavy or overwhelming. When that happens, you can say they carry a “burden.” But there is more to the word “burden” than meets the eye; learn more about burden definition and usage in this article.
The definition of “burden” is “something carried” or “a load.” The word is usually used when someone is carrying something that seems to be too heavy. A “burden” is something that most people would strain to carry. You can also use the word when you have something heavy at heart.
It is vital to take the time to learn about the word “burden” and its various meanings. That way, when you come across the word in different contexts, it will be easy to understand the target meaning. Keep reading for more.
What Is the Definition of Burden?
Another definition of “burden” is “a responsibility or a duty.” In this case, the word burden means something you carry with lots of difficulties, but you have to do it because it is your responsibility.
There are things in life the people have to do because it is their responsibility, and if not, they would not do it. Not like people are forced to take up the responsibility, but there’s no alternative at times. Burdens can either be positive or negative based on the final results. However, at times, people associate burdens with negativity.
Example sentences:
- His wife has the burden of taking care of him after the accident.
- My sister is too demanding, and that is why planning her wedding feels like a burden.
- Mark could no longer bear the burden of working for a corrupt boss, so he quit his job.
What Are the Family Words of Burden?
Let’s have a look at two family words that are commonly associated with “burden.” They include burdensome and burdensomely. Read on for more.
- Burdensome (adjective): Difficult to carry out or fulfill.
Example sentences:
- I was sorry to see Michaels’ life so burdensome, but there was no way I could help.
- We did not expect to get a less burdensome service at the county office.
- The COVID-19 disease has become burdensome and one of the most difficult diseases to understand.
- Burdensomely (adverb): In a difficult manner.
Example sentences:
- Cate knew she was dying, but she continued to work burdensomely till her last breath.
- If you do not work burdensomely, you might not succeed in life.
Burden Synonyms and Antonyms
Enhance your vocabulary and make sure that you use words that clearly express the information you are trying to give. The best way to do this is when you learn a new word, you should also look at the synonyms and antonyms of the word. Here’s the list.
Synonyms
- Cargo: Goods carried by ship, aircraft, or vehicles.
- Freight: Movement of lorries by trains, ships, and airplanes.
- Pledge: A serious promise to do something.
- Weight: The heaviness of something usually measured in units.
- Load: Something in large quantity that is heavy and is being carried.
- Charge: To assign responsibility.
- Commitment: The state of dedication to a cause.
- Obligation: debt of gratitude for a service or favor.
- Responsibility: Being accountable for something
- Vow: A promise to do something.
Antonyms
- Ease: Absence of difficulty or effort.
- Lightness: State of someone being light in weight.
- Airiness: The state of being light or breezy.
- Facility: A state of being easy to perform.
- Acceleration: At an increased speed of weight
- Liberation: Setting someone free from imprisonment or oppression.
- Mitigation: Action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness.
- Disbursement: The paying out of funds.
- Alleviation: To help make a problem less severe.
What Is the Meaning of Burden?
The meaning of “burden” is something oppressive or worrisome. In most situations, the word “burden” describes someone dealing with something they find stressful and one that is stressing them.
Example sentences:
- Mrs. Elijah carried the burden of knowing who killed her neighbors, but she did not say anything because she knew no one would believe her.
- Mia had a burden in her heart, but she did not share it with anyone.
- Mr. James’ burden was that his wife would leave him one day.
Can a Person Be a Burden?
A common question most people have about the word “burden” is whether someone can be a” burden.” The answer is a resounding yes. A person can be a burden to another, and if that happens, then it means that they are negatively impacting the well-being of another person.
If someone is a “burden,” they will also hold others back to live a more free life. They have to take time off work to take care of others. And if they don’t, they will make them feel uncomfortable or stressed.
Is Burden a Negative Word?
You can use the word “burden” to mean something that you can carry and withstand difficulties. It can also mean weighing down or oppressing. In both these definitions, the word has a negative charge.
How to Use Burden in a Sentence?
When learning the word “burden,” make sure you learn how to use the words in a sentence. The word “burden” can be used both as a noun and a verb.
So, it is vital to understand the nature of your sentence or context to use the vocabulary as required. Remember that this is a negative word, and when using it in your sentence, it should express negativity.
What Is a Burden in Law?
In law, the word “burden” is used in the phrase “burden of truth.” That is generally described as a standard for a party seeking to prove a fact in court. Parties must satisfy the court specifications to have the fact legally established.
What Is a Burden in Science?
In the field of science, the word “burden” is used in the phrase “burden of truth.” which means the obligation one has to prove their assertion.
What Is Burden Mathematics?
In mathematics, “burden” is used with “burden of cost,” which means the hidden labor and inventory charges that companies pay for their manufacturing process.
10 Examples of Burden in a Sentence
Learning the definitions and meanings of words is not enough. It is vital to take enough time to research the various ways that the word you learn is used in various sentences. Here is a look at ten example sentences with the word “burden.”
- I will never allow you to carry this burden alone.
- The last thing that Peter wanted after the accident was to burden anyone.
- I did not realize that I had become a burden to you and your family.
- Alex has to overcome pain and burden or finances.
- He was the only one who took the burden of ensuring that the children were well fed.
- His load will be arriving in a ship with a hundred tons burden.
- The doctor did not know how to help his patient navigate the burden of a cancer diagnosis.
- Though he hit that man in an accident, he was filled with the heavy burden of guilt.
- The loan that he took against his house turned out to be a huge financial burden to his family.
- It is time that the government lowered the tax burden on middle and lower-class citizens.
How Do You Spell Burden?
The word “burden” is spelled as “B.U.R.D.E.N.”
You should be careful when spelling this word so as not to misspell it. Note that this is one of the words in the English language that is commonly misspelled. The common misspelling of burden include:
- Burnden
- Berden
- Burden
- Buden
How Do You Pronounce Burden?
The pronunciation of the word “burden” is “bud.dn.”
It is impossible to use a word perfectly if you do not pronounce it right. Even if you use it in your sentences, with the wrong pronunciation, people will not comprehend what you say.
How Many Syllables Are In Burden?
The word “burden” has two syllables. These syllables are “bur-den.” The stressed syllable in the word is “bur.”
Learning the various word syllables will help you understand the process of decoding a word. This will help you read accurately and fluently. In addition, it is one of the best ways to be certain that you will spell words accurately.
History & Etymology of Burden
The word burden is originally from Latin “bher,” meaning” to carry” or “to bear children.” Later, the German language introduced “burde” but retained the same Latin meaning. It was later introduced to the English language as “burden,” which means load.
When Was Burden First Used?
The first time the word “burden” appeared was in the 1640s.
Conclusion
The word “burden” is one of those words you are bound to come across at one time in your life. Thus, it is vital to learn and understand its meaning to use it correctly in your sentences. Also, note that this is a word with different meanings and definitions, so take the time to learn each of them and the various ways you can use it in respective contexts.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.