Pronunciation: /ˈbɜːrdn/

Definitions of burden

noun a heavy load that is difficult to carry

Example Sentences

A1 Carrying a heavy burden can be tiring.

A2 She felt relieved after sharing her burden with a friend.

B1 The financial burden of student loans can be overwhelming.

B2 The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.

C1 The burden of leadership requires making tough decisions.

C2 He bore the burden of his past mistakes with grace and humility.

verb to load or weigh down with a heavy burden

Example Sentences

A1 Carrying heavy bags can burden your back.

A2 Students may feel burdened by the amount of homework they receive.

B1 Financial difficulties can burden a family and cause stress.

B2 The responsibility of managing a team can burden a manager.

C1 The weight of expectation can burden even the most successful individuals.

C2 The decision to close the company burdened the CEO with guilt and regret.

adjective burdensome, causing hardship or difficulty

Example Sentences

A1 Carrying a heavy burden can be tiring.

A2 She felt burdened by the demands of her job.

B1 The burden of debt can be a major source of stress.

B2 The burden of leadership can be both a privilege and a challenge.

C1 The burden of proof in this case is on the plaintiff.

C2 The burden of responsibility for the project ultimately falls on the team leader.

Examples of burden in a Sentence

formal The financial burden of the project fell on the shoulders of the company.

informal I can't take on any more work right now, it's too much of a burden.

slang I hate when my boss piles on the extra work, it's such a burden.

figurative Carrying around resentment is like a heavy burden on your heart.

Grammatical Forms of burden

past tense

burdened

plural

burdens

comparative

more burdensome

superlative

most burdensome

present tense

burdens

future tense

will burden

perfect tense

have burdened

continuous tense

is burdening

singular

burden

positive degree

burden

infinitive

to burden

gerund

burdening

participle

burdened

Origin and Evolution of burden

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'burden' originated from the Old English word 'byrthen' which meant a load or weight carried.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'burden' evolved to also represent a responsibility, duty, or obligation that weighs heavily on someone.