as in loads
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported
the space shuttle can carry a maximum payload of approximately 50,000 pounds
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Recent Examples of payloads
Also flying were payloads for Astranis Space Technologies and Gravity Space headed for geostationary orbits.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
As satellite constellations multiply and Earth-observation payloads become more data-hungry, the balance between the two is shifting.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Together, these two programs have lofted a total of more than 1,600 payloads to orbit — including 143 on Transporter-1 in January 2021, which still holds the single-launch record.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Vulcan may finally be on the cusp of delivering for the Space Force, but there are several military payloads in the queue to launch on Vulcan before GPS III SV-08, which was complete and in storage at its Lockheed Martin factory in Colorado.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Both rockets released their payloads—think ion guages, magnetometers, and vapor chasers; the latter released colorful puffs of gas—during an auroral substorm.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
Under Musk’s leadership, SpaceX reduced the cost of launching payloads to orbit by a factor of ten.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Featuring special vibration-damping propellers that fold in when not in use, the aircraft can lift payloads of up to 15 kg (33 lb).
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
As satellite constellations multiply and Earth-observation payloads become more data-hungry, the balance between the two is shifting.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Together, these two programs have lofted a total of more than 1,600 payloads to orbit — including 143 on Transporter-1 in January 2021, which still holds the single-launch record.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Vulcan may finally be on the cusp of delivering for the Space Force, but there are several military payloads in the queue to launch on Vulcan before GPS III SV-08, which was complete and in storage at its Lockheed Martin factory in Colorado.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Both rockets released their payloads—think ion guages, magnetometers, and vapor chasers; the latter released colorful puffs of gas—during an auroral substorm.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
Under Musk’s leadership, SpaceX reduced the cost of launching payloads to orbit by a factor of ten.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Featuring special vibration-damping propellers that fold in when not in use, the aircraft can lift payloads of up to 15 kg (33 lb).
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for payloads
Noun
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Combined, the marijuana loads had a street value of about $675,000 in the United States, and high-quality weed could be worth two to three times higher in Europe, according to the CBP.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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The hospital’s closure has meant many workers are out of a job, patients are having to find other options for care, and nearby hospitals, including Rush Oak Park Hospital and Loretto Hospital, may face heavier patient loads.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since February, the carbon removal company Inherit has been delivering CO2 cargoes from the facility to Northern Lights as part of a pilot project.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
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Some countries, however, are finding ways to get cargoes through the corridor.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Across multiple designs and operating conditions, CNTF heaters consistently achieved higher specific power loadings than comparable metal-alloy elements.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
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Saudi Arabia has increased crude loadings in recent weeks, and strategic petroleum reserves held by major consuming nations like China, could provide some temporary cushioning to the market, Rystad Energy said in a note Sunday.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Caregivers — spouses, children and loved ones — are often the unsung heroes who manage care while carrying their own emotional and physical burdens.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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But experts worry these measures may add unnecessary burdens on an industry that is largely made up of small businesses.—
Jess Huff,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just steps away, the adjacent fitness center is well-equipped and even includes water weights.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Katzenback recommends four sets of five repetitions with heavy weights to stimulate bone growth.—
Hadia Zainab,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Payloads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/payloads. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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