unload

8 definitions • 11 examples

to remove the contents of something, especially a load of goods from a vehicle, the bullets from a gun or the film from a camera:

We watched a ship unloading (sacks of flour).

to tell someone about your problems, the things that worry you, etc.:

unload something on someone I've been unloading my worries on poor Ann here.

to express strong emotions such as anger freely to another person:

I was so stressed out, I just needed to unload.

to hit, kick, or throw a ball away from you with great force:

She dribbled before unloading to Ashley.

He ordered his defenders to unload the ball up field quickly.

to remove the contents of something such as goods from a vehicle, the bullets from a gun, or the film from a camera:

[ T ] She unloaded her grocery bags from the back of the minivan.

infml If you unload something that you no longer want, you get rid of it:

[ T ] Monaghan has said he is ready to unload his pizza business and retire to Florida.

to remove goods from a vehicle or ship:

Trucking companies are trying to cut the time drivers spend waiting in line to load or unload.

The port will spend $300 million to build a new container terminal, where ships load and unload cargo.

to get rid of or sell something, because it has gone down in value, is illegal, or is of poor quality:

The bank asked them to unload $1 billion of Treasury bonds.

With markets slipping, insurers have been unloading shares to maintain the cushion between their assets and liabilities.