- to remove a load or cargo from (a ship, lorry, etc)
- to discharge (cargo, freight, etc)
- (transitive) to relieve of a burden or troubles
- (transitive) to give vent to (anxiety, troubles, etc)
- (transitive) to get rid of or dispose of (esp surplus goods)
- (transitive) to remove the charge of ammunition from (a firearm)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
un•load /ʌnˈloʊd/USA pronunciation
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to take the load or cargo from:[~ + object]to unload a ship.
- to discharge (cargo, passengers, etc.): [~ + object]The sailors began to unload the cargo.[no object]The ship can't unload now.
- Military to remove the bullets from:[~ + object]to unload a gun.
- to express freely;
pour out:[~ + object]unloaded his grief. - Business[~ + object] to get rid of (goods, shares of stock, etc.) by sale in large quantities.
un•load
(un lōd′),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
un•load′er, n.
- to take the load from;
remove the cargo or freight from:to unload a truck; to unload a cart. - to remove or discharge (a load, group of people, etc.):to unload passengers.
- Militaryto remove the charge from (a firearm).
- to relieve of anything burdensome, oppressive, etc.:He unloaded his responsibilities.
- Businessto get rid of (goods, shares of stock, etc.) by sale in large quantities.
v.i.
- to unload something.
- Informal Termsto relieve one's stress by talking, confessing, or the like.
- un-2 + load 1515–25
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
unload /ʌnˈləʊd/ vb
'unload' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):