Burden Meaning
Burden Definition & Usage
A heavy load or weight, either physical or metaphorical, that is difficult to carry or manage.
Examples
- "The burden of the heavy backpack made the hike much more difficult."
- "She carried the emotional burden of her family's struggles all alone."
- "The economic burden of the pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide."
- "He felt the burden of responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders."
- "The teacher noticed the burden in his student's eyes, knowing they had too many assignments."
To load or weigh down with something heavy, either physically or figuratively.
Examples
- "The constant paperwork burdened her with stress."
- "He was burdened by the heavy responsibilities of managing the company."
- "The region was burdened by severe drought for several months."
- "Their financial situation continued to burden them, making it hard to move forward."
- "The heavy news burdened his heart, making it hard to sleep that night."
Cultural Context
The word 'burden' has roots in the Old French 'burdinum' and Latin 'burdo', meaning a load or weight. Historically, it was often associated with physical labor, but over time, it has expanded to encompass emotional, psychological, and social struggles.
The Weight of Responsibility
Story
The Weight of Responsibility
Rachel had always been known for her strength, the way she handled everything with grace. But today, as she stood in front of her desk stacked with papers and endless deadlines, the burden of it all seemed too much. The weight of responsibility was becoming too heavy to bear. She glanced at her phone, a constant reminder of her other duties at home — her mother was ill, and her younger brother needed help with his schoolwork. "How do you do it?" her friend Lisa had asked earlier that week. Rachel had smiled weakly, not admitting how the emotional burden of caring for her family often left her feeling drained. But now, with her job demanding more and more of her time, she was beginning to feel the strain in every part of her life. As the clock ticked by, Rachel realized she could not continue carrying this weight alone. She needed help. The burden had become too much to carry without asking for support. At that moment, she made a decision — she would reach out to her colleagues for assistance and talk to her family about sharing some of the load. With a deep breath, Rachel stood up from her desk. She still had a long way to go, but for the first time in weeks, she felt a little lighter. The burden wasn't gone, but the decision to share it had made all the difference.
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