1
: carrying a load
a loaded freight train
: such as
a
: containing an explosive charge
a loaded warhead
: having bullets inside
a loaded handgun
b
of a camera
: having film inside
2
informal
: having a large amount of something
a store loaded with goods
a report loaded with errors
: such as
a
: having a large amount of money : wealthy
She left them a fortune and the family is now loaded.
b
: equipped with an abundance of features
a fully loaded car
c
: filled or topped with many things
a loaded baked potato
d
: featuring a great amount of top-level talent
a basketball team with a loaded roster
a loaded competition
3
chiefly US slang
: intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
especially
: drunk
They got loaded at the party.
… no matter how loaded he got, Billy did his drinking at home and always put the cans in the recycling bin … —
Stephen King
Stephen King 4
a
: carrying a hidden or secondary meaning that is capable of causing unease
Because "asylum" is a loaded term, it can draw attention to crucial issues facing vulnerable Americans, but it also tends to foreclose discussion of real solutions.—The New York Times
The New York Times"You tell me," Cora said. "Do you think I had a therapist?" Aaron's mouth fell open. That was a loaded question. Any answer would be wrong.—Parnell Hall
Parnell Hall
b
: weighted to favor a specific outcome
loaded dice
(figurative) … the dice of life are loaded in favor of first borns in ways they simply aren't for any siblings who come along later.—Jeffrey Kluger
Jeffrey Klugerloaded
2 of 2past tense and past participle of load entry 2
Synonyms
Examples of loaded in a Sentence
Adjective
He said he didn't know the gun was loaded.
the department stores were loaded with goods for the holiday shopping season
Recent Examples on the Web
Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Police said that the driver of the vehicle was determined to have been involved with the prior assault, and that a loaded firearm was found during the investigation.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2025
The Los Angeles Clippers have been able to survive this season in the loaded Western Conference due to the strong play of star guard James Harden.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
After being asked to have an adult come to the door, the 5-year-old returned with a loaded handgun, which the cadet was able to remove, authorities said.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loaded 
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Meanwhile, the Mexican Caesar salad at Mariscos San Pedro has ruined me for all other Caesars, with loaded Little Gem lettuce topped by tangy boquerones en vinagre, or white anchovies, and a tortilla crunch, made by frying broken tostada shells in nutty brown butter and toasted morita chile.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Police said that the driver of the vehicle was determined to have been involved with the prior assault, and that a loaded firearm was found during the investigation.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2025
The Los Angeles Clippers have been able to survive this season in the loaded Western Conference due to the strong play of star guard James Harden.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
After being asked to have an adult come to the door, the 5-year-old returned with a loaded handgun, which the cadet was able to remove, authorities said.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loaded
Dictionary Entries Near loaded
Cite this Entry
“Loaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loaded. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
loaded
adjective
load·ed
ˈlōd-əd 
1
slang
: drunk entry 2 sense 1
2
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