reload: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, with a tilt towards technical/informal in IT/gaming contexts.
Quick answer
What does “reload” mean?
to load something again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to load something again; to put a fresh supply of something (like ammunition, data, or content) into a device or system.
The process of refreshing content, data, or resources, often seen as a metaphor for starting an activity with renewed energy or resources. Common in digital, gaming, and mental contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Minor spelling preference: 'programme' (UK) vs. 'program' (US) in related contexts. The verb is used identically.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Strongly associated with firearms, computing, and gaming.
Frequency
Equal frequency, driven by global tech/gaming culture.
Grammar
How to Use “reload” in a Sentence
[Subject] reloads [Object] (transitive)[Subject] reloads (intransitive, e.g., The page reloaded.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reload” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You'll need to reload the programme after the update.
- The soldier stopped to reload his rifle.
American English
- Just reload the program to see the changes.
- He had to reload quickly during the target practice.
adjective
British English
- The reload mechanism is jammed.
- Press the reload button in the top corner.
American English
- Check the reload speed of this weapon.
- The reload function isn't working.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to updating data in a software system or dashboard. 'The sales figures will reload at midnight.'
Academic
Rare; might be used in computer science or engineering contexts regarding data processing.
Everyday
Most common in computing ('reload the webpage') and gaming ('reload your weapon').
Technical
Core term in IT (browser/application refresh), gaming (weapon ammo), and ballistics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reload”
- Using 'download again' instead of 'reload' for web pages. Confusing 'reload' (refresh existing) with 'reinstall' (install anew).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern computing, they are synonymous. 'Refresh' is slightly more common in everyday language, while 'reload' is the formal technical term in browser menus.
Not literally. It's used metaphorically, e.g., 'reload my energy' or 'reload my motivation', meaning to regain strength or focus.
Primarily, yes. It can be used as a noun ('click the reload') or adjective ('reload time') in technical/gaming contexts, but the verb form is dominant.
No. It's a solid word: 'reload'. The hyphen is sometimes seen in very old texts (re-load) but is now obsolete.
to load something again.
Reload is usually neutral, with a tilt towards technical/informal in it/gaming contexts. in register.
Reload: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈləʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈloʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Reload and try again.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a video game: your gun is LOADed, you fire, it's empty. You must RE-LOAD it to use it again. RE + LOAD = do the loading again.
Conceptual Metaphor
RENEWAL IS RELOADING (e.g., 'I need to reload my energy' implies replenishing mental or physical resources).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'reload' LEAST likely to be used?