A burden is something heavy or difficult to carry, either physically or emotionally. When you're burdened with a heavy backpack full of textbooks, your shoulders ache from the weight. When your parents feel burdened by financial worries, they're carrying a mental weight that makes life harder.

The word often describes responsibilities or problems that weigh on someone over time. A student might feel burdened by too much homework, while a single parent might be burdened by working two jobs to support their family. These burdens are ongoing difficulties that require real effort and strength, not temporary inconveniences.

Sometimes people talk about sharing burdens, which means helping others carry what feels too heavy alone. When classmates help a friend who's struggling, they're lightening that person's burden. Other times, someone might feel like a burden themselves, worrying they're creating extra work or difficulty for others.

The word can also be used as a verb: to burden someone means to load them down with extra weight or responsibility. A teacher might avoid burdening students with assignments during spring break, or you might hesitate to burden a busy friend with your problems.