Dictionary

A heavy load.

A responsibility, onus.

A cause of worry; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive.

The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry.

Example: a ship of a hundred tons burden

To encumber with a literal or figurative burden.

Example: to burden a nation with taxes

To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable).

A phrase or theme that recurs at the end of each verse in a folk song or ballad.

The drone of a bagpipe.

Theme, core idea.

Example: the burden of the argument