Pronunciation

/bərˈd(ə)n/

Definitions

Noun

1. Burden: A load or responsibility that is carried or borne, often causing stress or difficulty. Example: “The weight of financial burden was too much for him to handle.”
2. Burden of proof: The responsibility for providing evidence in a legal case, typically on the person making a claim. Example: “In a criminal trial, it’s the prosecution’s burden of proof to show guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
3. Emotional burden: The emotional weight of carrying feelings or issues. Example: “She felt the emotional burden of keeping her family’s secrets.”

Verb

1. To impose or take on a burden: “The parents decided to bear the burden of caring for their elderly relative.”
2. To carry a physical or mental load: “He was burdened with heavy boxes from the store.”

Phrases

• “Shoulder the burden” means to accept or undertake a responsibility.
• “Lifting a burden” signifies relieving someone of a troublesome task or situation.
• “Burden of expectation” refers to the pressure of meeting others’ expectations.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The new job came with a heavy burden of increased work hours.”
• Verb: “She offered to help lighten his burden by doing some of the household chores.”
• Imperative: “Let’s share the burden and divide the tasks equally.”

Synonyms

• Load
• Responsibility
• Weight
• Incumbrance
• Burden of care
• Loadstone (archaic)
• Cross
• Strain