unload

verb

un·​load ˌən-ˈlōd How to pronounce unload (audio)
unloaded; unloading; unloads

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to take off : deliver
(2)
: to take the cargo from
unload the truck
b
: to give outlet to : pour forth
unloaded her bitter feelings
2
: to relieve of something burdensome, unwanted, or oppressive
unloaded the pack animals
unloaded himself to his friend
3
: to draw the charge from
unloaded the gun
4
: to sell or dispose of especially in large quantities : dump
5
: to hit or propel with a great release of power
unloaded his ninth homer

intransitive verb

1
: to perform the act of unloading
2
: to release or deliver something especially with power
unloaded on the ball
3
: to give forth a usually sudden angry outburst
the coach unloaded on his players
unloader noun

Examples of unload in a Sentence

It took four hours to unload the truck. Could you help me unload the car? After the ship docked, they unloaded its cargo. I have to unload the groceries. Most ships unload at another dock now. The train made several stops to unload passengers. Rumor has it that the manager wants to unload him. Maybe he'll be traded to another team. She unloaded a huge amount of stock when prices fell.
Recent Examples on the Web Then there are also costs for everything from hiring a forklift for unloading the home to installing appliances. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024 Supply chain executives say shipping customers are worried Logistics managers tell CNBC average dwell times for a container being unloaded from a vessel to being loaded onto rail is about two weeks at Los Angeles and Long Beach. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024 Even Drew Barrymore shows up here as, well, Drew Barrymore, when Skye unloads her personal problems on her TV talk show. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2024 Don’t unload the day’s junk onto the dining room table or kitchen counter. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unload 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unload.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of unload was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unload

Cite this Entry

“Unload.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unload. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

unload

verb
un·​load ˌən-ˈlōd How to pronounce unload (audio)
ˈən-
1
a
: to take away or off : remove
unload cargo from a hold
b
: to take a load from
unload a ship
also : to rid or set free : unburden
unload your mind of worries
2
: to get rid of or be freed of a load or burden
the ship is unloading now
3
: to sell in large quantities : dump
unload surplus goods

More from Merriam-Webster on unload

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