burden

/ˈbɜːdn̩/

a heavy load or responsibility

The burden of caring for her elderly parents weighed heavily on her.

She felt the emotional and physical strain of taking care of her parents.

general

a heavy load or responsibility that is difficult to bear

He carried the burden of guilt for years after the accident.

He felt guilty for a long time after the accident.

The burden of proof lies with the prosecution in a court case.

In a legal case, the prosecution must provide evidence to support their claims.

Can refer to physical, emotional, or financial weight.

Finance

formal

a financial or economic obligation

The company struggled under the burden of its debt.

The company had difficulty managing its financial obligations.

Often used in economic or financial contexts.

Collocations

burden of proofthe responsibility to provide evidence in a legal caseburden of responsibilitythe weight of being responsible for somethingburden of carethe responsibility of taking care of someone

to take on a heavy responsibility

to reduce the difficulty of a responsibility

Burden can refer to physical weight or emotional/financial responsibilities. Context usually makes the meaning clear.

In legal contexts, the burden of proof refers to the obligation to provide evidence to support a claim.

From Middle English 'burden', from Old English 'byrthen', meaning 'carrying load' or 'pregnancy'. Related to 'bear' and 'birth'.

Can be used both literally (physical load) and figuratively (emotional or financial weight).

bur-

to carry

root

-den

to bear or endure

suffix

English Dictionary