load-bearing adjective 3noun 1 adjective3 •Able to support a load.The different forms of partitions that are not load-bearing will be considered under "Fireproofing." — 1908 •Able to support a load.Too many otherwise suitable sites may be found to have sink holes, cavities, or poor load bearing qualities. — 1906 •(figurative) Of a physical, digital, procedural etc. component, necessary to the integrity of the system of which it forms a part. noun1 •The carrying of loads.The 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. — 1904
