unload

verb

un·​load ˌən-ˈlōd 

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

Synonyms

• disburden
• discharge
• disencumber
• off-load
• unburden
• unlade
• unpack

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

There are also questions about Siri’s makeup, which was a factor in the Rays unloading him. —Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025

The Biden administration rushed to unload aid to Ukraine during the transition amid concerns that Trump would use military assistance as a bargaining chip. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

The three women had been shopping and were unloading items at the motel where the ex-girlfriend was staying after her recent split from Handboy, prosecutors said. —Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2025

Therefore, investors could benefit from taking their inspiration from Warren Buffett — who as of November had sold 605 million of Berkshire Hathaway’s Apple shares — and unload their holdings in the iPhone maker. —Peter Cohan, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

unload

verb

un·​load ˌən-ˈlōd 

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