burden
n. countablen. a heavy load that is difficult to carry, or a responsibility that causes a lot of stress. You use this when something feels like a lot of work or worry.
n. a load, typically a heavy one; figuratively, a duty or responsibility that is oppressive or worrisome. Often used in legal or financial contexts to describe a weight of proof or debt.
The heavy backpack was a burden on the long hike.
The high interest rates on his student loans became a significant financial burden after he lost his job.
The ethical burden of the decision weighed heavily on the committee, as their choice would affect the livelihoods of thousands of workers across the region.
Inherited from Middle English burden, birden, burthen, birthen, byrthen, from Old English byrden, byrþen, from Proto-West Germanic burþini, from burþī, from Proto-Germanic burþį̄, from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- (“to carry, bear”).
Inherited from Middle English burdoun (“accompaniment”), from Old French bordon (“drone”), from Medieval Latin burdō. Doublet of bourdon.
Often used with the verbs 'bear', 'carry', or 'ease'. Frequently followed by the preposition 'of' when describing a responsibility.