• Load-bearing

    Alternative forms

    Full definition of load-bearing

    Adjective

    load-bearing

    1. (chiefly construction and civil engineering) Able to support a load.
      • 1908, Frederick E. Turneaure, Editor-in-Chief, Cyclopedia of Civil EngineeringThe different forms of partitions that are not load-bearing will be considered under "Fireproofing."
      • 1958, Australian Atomic Energy Commission, Australian Atomic Energy Symposium, 1958: Proceedings of a Symposium on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in AustraliaThe reactor units each called for a circular pit over 300ft. in diameter, excavated to a depth of 20ft. to reach a suitable load-bearing stratum.
      • 2001, Akram F. Khater, Inventing Home: Emigration, Gender, and the Middle Class in Lebanon, 1870-1920Alternating sandstone and limestone (the limestone being used in façades exposed to the winter rains or in more load-bearing areas) created a most pleasing decorative effect.
      • 2004, G. R. Evans, The First Christian Theologians, an Introduction to Theology in the Early ChurchIt was in baptism (and in consequence in penance) that the theologically most load-bearing aspects of the liturgical life of the Church were concentrated.

    Noun

    load-bearing

    (uncountable)
    1. The carrying of loads.
      • 1904, Morley Roberts, A Tramp's Note-bookThe porters, who stand in knots with cords upon their shoulders, bear huge loads; a characteristic of the place is this load-bearing and the size of the burdens.
      • 1955, National Research Council (U.S.) Building Research Institute, Modular Measure: The Edited Papers and Discussions of a Research Correlation Conference Entitled Modular Coordination: Its Value in Contemporary Building, Conducted by the Building Research InstituteSince we do not need walls for load-bearing, the storage walls do not have to have any special thickness.
      • 2006, David Lowe, Surgical Pathology RevisionA common degenerative joint disease that involves synovial joints only with recurrent or abnormal load-bearing on normal cartilage or normal load-bearing on weakened cartilage, or both.
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