Meaning & use
unloads
Last updated
“unloads” is a form of “unload”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Takes things off a vehicle, ship, or container and puts them somewhere else.
Grammar: Needs an object: you unload cargo, boxes, or a truck.
Patterns
- unload something from something
- unload something onto something
- unload a truck
- unload the shopping
The crew unloads the boxes from the ship every morning.
She unloads the dishwasher before breakfast.
They unload fresh vegetables at the market at dawn.
verbtransitive
Takes a load or a group of people out of a vehicle or container.
Grammar: The object is the vehicle or container itself, not the things inside it.
Patterns
- unload a truck
- unload a ship
- unload a van
Two workers unload the delivery van behind the store.
The driver unloads the bus at the last stop.
verbtransitive or intransitiveinformal
Tells someone about worries or problems so that you feel less burdened.
Grammar: Often used with "on" or "onto" when you name the listener.
Patterns
- unload something on someone
- unload on someone
- unload your problems onto someone
He unloads his worries on his best friend after work.
Don't unload all your stress onto me; I have my own problems.
verbtransitivebusiness
Gets rid of something unwanted by selling it or passing it to someone else.
Grammar: Often used for shares, property, or goods you want to get rid of.
Patterns
- unload shares
- unload stock
- unload something on someone
The company unloads its old stock at half price.
Investors unload shares when the market falls.
verbtransitivetechnical
Removes bullets or shells from a gun so that it is empty and safe.
Grammar: The object is the gun or weapon.
Patterns
- unload a gun
- unload a weapon
- unload a rifle
The officer unloads his weapon before entering the station.
Always unload a gun before you clean it.
Word forms
| base form | unload |
|---|---|
| third person singular | unloads |
| past tense | unloaded |
| past participle | unloaded |
| -ing form | unloading |
Common combinations
- unload a truck
- The men unload a truck full of furniture in the alley.
- unload cargo
- Dockworkers unload cargo from the ship all night.
- unload the dishwasher
- He unloads the dishwasher while she cooks.
- unload on someone
- She unloads on her sister whenever she is upset.
- unload shares
- The fund unloads shares when prices start to drop.
- unload a gun
- The guard unloads his gun at the end of every shift.
Synonyms and how they differ
- empty
- Use "empty" when you take everything out of a container; "unload" is more specific to vehicles, ships, or weapons.
- remove
- "Remove" is neutral and works for one item; "unload" suggests taking off a whole load or group.
- dump
- "Dump" is stronger and often suggests careless or illegal disposal, while "unload" can be ordinary and planned.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: unloads or upload? unloads or download?
unloads vs upload
"Upload" means sending data to a computer or the internet; "unload" means taking physical things off a vehicle or telling someone your problems.
unloads vs download
"Download" means bringing data onto your device; it is about computers, not trucks or ships.
Practice
Which sentence uses "unloads" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Unload" takes a direct object and uses "from" for the place the goods came from: unload the boxes from the van. "Unloads to" and "unloads of" are not correct patterns, and "unloads on" means telling someone your problems, which does not fit boxes.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unloads”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.