Meaning & use

payload

noun·Advanced

Last updated

The cargo, passengers, or explosive charge carried by a vehicle, aircraft, or missile.

See it in a sentence

The rocket's payload included three satellites bound for orbit.

Engineers calculated the maximum payload the drone could carry without losing stability.

A note on using this word

In computing, 'payload' also refers to the part of transmitted data or a malicious program that carries its actual content or attack code.

Words with a similar meaning

cargoload

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

In computing, the part of transmitted data or malicious code that carries its actual content or intended effect.

Security analysts isolated the malware's payload before it could damage the network.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “payload”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.