Meaning & use
backload
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitivebusiness
To fill a vehicle with goods for the return trip after it has delivered its original load.
Grammar: Takes an object: backload the truck, backload goods.
Patterns
- backload something
- backload a vehicle
- backload something from somewhere
The delivery company tries to backload its vans to save fuel on the return journey.
We can backload the pallets from the warehouse in Leeds on Friday.
If you backload the truck, you avoid sending it back empty.
verbintransitivebusiness
To arrange for a vehicle to carry a return load, especially to reduce costs and empty running.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'from' or 'to': backload from Manchester.
Patterns
- backload from somewhere
- backload to somewhere
- backload between places
The haulage firm backloads from Bristol to Glasgow whenever possible.
They often backload between the two depots to keep the fleet busy.
Backloading from the coast helps cut down on empty miles.
nouncountablebusiness
A load carried by a vehicle on its return journey, often at a reduced rate.
Grammar: Countable: a backload, two backloads.
Patterns
- a backload of something
- carry a backload
- find a backload
The driver picked up a backload of timber from the sawmill.
We found a cheap backload of bricks for the return trip.
Without a backload, the journey would have been unprofitable.
Word forms
| third person singular | backloads |
|---|---|
| past tense | backloaded |
| past participle | backloaded |
| -ing form | backloading |
| plural | backloads |
Common combinations
- backload a truck
- They managed to backload the truck with returned goods.
- backload from a port
- It is cheaper to backload from the port than to return empty.
- backload goods
- We backload goods for other companies to cover our costs.
- a backload of materials
- The lorry carried a backload of steel pipes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- return load
- More general and common in everyday speech; backload is more technical and often implies a deliberate arrangement.
- backhaul
- Very similar, but backhaul is more common in American English and logistics jargon.
Word family
- backloading noun
- The practice or process of carrying return loads.
Commonly confused: backload or download?
backload vs download
Download means to copy data from a computer system; backload is about transport loads, not data.
Practice
The haulage company decided to ______ the van with returned crates to avoid an empty trip.
Choose one answer.
After 'to' we need the base form of the verb: 'to backload'. 'Backloads' is third-person singular, 'backloading' is the -ing form, and 'backloaded' is past tense, none of which fit after 'to'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “backload”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.