Load vs. Reload — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
Load refers to the process of placing or entering data, software, or materials into a system or device, while reload involves the process of loading again or refreshing previously loaded data or materials.
Difference Between Load and Reload
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Load primarily denotes the initial act of introducing data, software, or other content into a system, device, or container. On the other hand, reload specifically refers to the action of loading something again, often used to refresh or update what has been previously loaded.
When discussing computers or browsers, "load" refers to opening a program or webpage for the first time during a session. Whereas, "reload" is used when refreshing the same program or page, typically to update the content or correct errors.
In the context of firearms, to load means to put ammunition into a gun for the first time or after it has been completely emptied. On the other hand, to reload is to refill the firearm with ammunition, usually after some but not all of the rounds have been fired.
In software development, "load" can refer to the process of loading libraries or modules when a program starts. Conversely, "reload" might be used to describe dynamically loading changes to code or modules without restarting the entire software.
Load also implies a burden or weight that is carried, such as electrical load or structural load in engineering. Reload does not share this connotation and is almost exclusively used in contexts where repetition or renewal is involved.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To put into or onto a device or system for the first time
To load again, especially to refresh or update
Usage in Technology
Opening or initiating software or files
Refreshing or updating previously loaded software or files
Contexts
General usage in technology, firearms, and engineering
Primarily used in technology and firearms
Associated Action
Initial action of introduction
Action taken after the initial load to update or correct
Connotation
Often associated with the burden or capacity
Focused on renewal and updating
Compare with Definitions
Load
To place data into a program or machine.
Load the paper into the printer.
Reload
To place ammunition in a gun again.
Reload your weapon quickly.
Load
To enter software or data on a device.
He loads the new software on his computer.
Reload
To restore or bring back into use.
Reload the previously saved game.
Load
To burden or weigh down.
The bridge is loaded beyond its capacity.
Reload
To refresh a webpage or software.
Reload the page to see the changes.
Load
To accumulate or gather.
The truck is loaded with goods.
Reload
To repeat the process of loading.
Reload the software after the update.
Load
To insert content into a medium.
Load the film into the camera.
Reload
To renew or refill something.
Reload the printer with more paper.
Load
A heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or is about to be carried
In addition to their own food, they must carry a load of up to eighty pounds
Reload
To load (something) again.
Load
A weight or source of pressure borne by someone or something
The increased load on the heart caused by a raised arterial pressure
The arch has hollow spandrels to lighten the load on the foundations
Reload
(computing) To refresh a copy of a program etc. in memory or of a web page etc. on screen
Load
A lot of
She was talking a load of rubbish
Reload
(firearms) To load a gun again; or recharge a used cartridge.
Load
The amount of power supplied by a source; the resistance of moving parts to be overcome by a motor
If the wire in the fuse is too thin to accept the load it will melt
Reload
The process by which something is reloaded.
Each reload of the weapon took about 30 seconds.
Load
Fill (a vehicle, ship, container, etc.) with a large amount of something
They go to Calais to load up their vans with cheap beer
Reload
(firearms) An ammunition cartridge prepared from previously fired ammunition.
Load
Make (someone or something) carry or hold a large or excessive quantity of heavy things
Elaine was loaded down with bags full of shopping
Reload
To load again, as a gun.
Load
Charge (a firearm) with ammunition
He began to load the gun
Reload
Load anew with ammunition,
She reloaded the gun carefully
Load
Add an extra charge to (an insurance premium) to take account of a factor that increases the risk.
Reload
Place a new load on;
The movers reloaded the truck
Load
A weight or mass that is supported
The load on an arch.
Load
The overall force to which a structure is subjected in supporting a weight or mass or in resisting externally applied forces.
Load
Something that is carried, as by a vehicle, person, or animal
A load of firewood.
Load
The quantity that is or can be carried at one time.
Load
The share of work allocated to or required of a person, machine, group, or organization.
Load
The demand for services or performance made on a machine or system.
Load
The amount of material that can be inserted into a device or machine at one time
The washing machine has a full load.
Load
A single charge of ammunition for a firearm.
Load
Vulgar Slang An ejaculation of semen.
Load
A mental weight or burden
Good news took a load off my mind.
Load
A responsibility regarded as oppressive.
Load
The external mechanical resistance against which a machine acts.
Load
The power output of a generator or power plant.
Load
A device or the resistance of a device to which power is delivered.
Load
A fee that a mutual fund charges to an investor when the investor purchases or redeems shares in the fund.
Load
Often loads(Informal) A great number or amount
There were loads of people at the parade.
Load
Derogatory Slang A heavy or overweight person.
Load
Genetic load.
Load
To put (something) into or onto a structure or conveyance
Loading grain onto a train.
Load
To put something into or onto (a structure or conveyance)
Loaded the tanker with crude oil.
Load
To provide or fill nearly to overflowing; heap
Loaded the table with food.
Load
To give worries or difficulties to; weigh down; burden
Was loaded with responsibility.
Load
To insert (a necessary material) into a device
Loaded rounds into the rifle.
Load
To insert a necessary material into
Loaded the printer with paper.
Load
(Games) To make (dice) heavier on one side by adding weight.
Load
To charge with additional meanings, implications, or emotional import
Loaded the question to trick the witness.
Load
To raise the power demand in (an electrical circuit), as by adding resistance.
Load
To increase (an insurance premium or mutual fund share price) by adding expenses or sale costs.
Load
(Baseball) To have or put runners on (first, second, and third base).
Load
(Computers) To transfer (data) from a storage device into a computer's memory.
Load
To receive a load
Container ships can load rapidly.
Load
To charge a firearm with ammunition.
Load
To put or place a load into or onto a structure, device, or conveyance.
Load
(Computers) To be transferred from a storage device into a computer's memory.
Load
A burden; a weight to be carried.
I struggled up the hill with the heavy load in my rucksack.
Load
(figuratively) A worry or concern to be endured, especially in the phrase a load off one's mind.
Load
A certain number of articles or quantity of material that can be transported or processed at one time.
The truck overturned while carrying a full load of oil.
She put another load of clothes in the washing machine.
Load
A quantity of washing put into a washing machine for a wash cycle.
I put a load on before we left.
Load
(in combination) Used to form nouns that indicate a large quantity, often corresponding to the capacity of a vehicle
Load
A large number or amount.
I got loads of presents for my birthday!
I got a load of emails about that.
Load
The volume of work required to be performed.
Will our web servers be able to cope with that load?
Load
(engineering) The force exerted on a structural component such as a beam, girder, cable etc.
Each of the cross-members must withstand a tensile load of 1,000 newtons.
Load
(electrical engineering) The electrical current or power delivered by a device.
I'm worried that the load on that transformer will be too high.
Load
(engineering) A resistive force encountered by a prime mover when performing work.
Load
(electrical engineering) Any component that draws current or power from an electrical circuit.
Connect a second 24-ohm load across the power supply's output terminals.
Load
A unit of measure for various quantities.
Load
The viral load
Load
A very small explosive inserted as a gag into a cigarette or cigar.
Load
The charge of powder for a firearm.
Load
(obsolete) Weight or violence of blows.
Load
The contents (e.g. semen) of an ejaculation.
Load
(euphemism) Nonsense; rubbish.
What a load!
Load
(computing) The process of loading something, i.e. transferring it into memory or over a network, etc.
All of those uncompressed images are going to slow down the page load.
Load
(Philippines) prepaid phone credit
Load
A person that spends all day online. The term was originally used in the late 1980s to describe users on free Q-Link (later America Online) accounts who never signed off the system at great expense to the company.
She never logs off; she is a real LOAD!
Load
(transitive) To put a load on or in (a means of conveyance or a place of storage).
The dock workers refused to load the ship.
Load
(transitive) To place in or on a conveyance or a place of storage.
The longshoremen loaded the cargo quickly.
He loaded his stuff into his storage locker.
Load
(intransitive) To put a load on something.
The truck was supposed to leave at dawn, but in fact we spent all morning loading.
Load
(intransitive) To receive a load.
The truck is designed to load easily.
Load
(intransitive) To be placed into storage or conveyance.
The containers load quickly and easily.
Load
(transitive) To fill (a firearm or artillery) with munition.
I pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. I had forgotten to load the gun.
Load
(transitive) To insert (an item or items) into an apparatus so as to ready it for operation, such as a reel of film into a camera, sheets of paper into a printer etc.
Now that you've loaded the film [into the camera], you're ready to start shooting.
Now that you've loaded the camera [with film], you're ready to start shooting.
Load
(transitive) To fill (an apparatus) with raw material.
The workers loaded the blast furnace with coke and ore.
Load
(intransitive) To be put into use in an apparatus.
The cartridge was designed to load easily.
Load
To read (data or a program) from a storage medium into computer memory.
Click OK to load the selected data.
Load
To transfer from a storage medium into computer memory.
This program takes an age to load.
Load
To put runners on first, second and third bases
He walks to load the bases.
Load
(transitive) To tamper with so as to produce a biased outcome.
You can load the dice in your favour by researching the company before your interview.
The wording of the ballot paper loaded the vote in favour of the Conservative candidate.
Load
(transitive) To ask or adapt a question so that it will be more likely to be answered in a certain way.
Load
(transitive) To encumber with something negative, to place as an encumbrance.
The new owners had loaded the company with debt.
The new owners loaded debt on the company.
Load
(transitive) To provide in abundance.
He loaded his system with carbs before the marathon.
He loaded carbs into his system before the marathon.
Load
(transitive) To weight (a cane, whip, etc.) with lead or similar.
Load
To adulterate or drug.
To load wine
Load
To magnetize.
Load
(Philippines) to top up or purchase phone credits
Load
A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load.
He might such a loadTo town with his ass carry.
Load
The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading.
Load
That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care.
Load
A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters.
Load
The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder.
Load
Weight or violence of blows.
Load
The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working.
Load
The amount of work that a person, group, or machine is assigned to perform; as, the boss distributed the load evenly among his employees.
Load
The device or devices that consume power from a power supply.
Load
The weight or force that a structural support bears or is designed to bear; the object that creates that force.
Load
To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon.
I strive all in vain to load the cart.
I have loaden me with many spoils.
Those honors deep and broad, wherewithYour majesty loads our house.
Load
To adulterate or drug; as, to load wine.
Load
To magnetize.
Load
Weight to be borne or conveyed
Load
A quantity that can be processed or transported at one time;
The system broke down under excessive loads
Load
Goods carried by a large vehicle
Load
An amount of alcohol sufficient to intoxicate;
He got a load on and started a brawl
Load
The power output of a generator or power plant
Load
An onerous or difficult concern;
The burden of responsibility
That's a load off my mind
Load
A deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks
Load
The front part of a guided missile or rocket or torpedo that carries the nuclear or explosive charge or the chemical or biological agents
Load
Electrical device to which electrical power is delivered
Load
Fill or place a load on;
Load a car
Load the truck with hay
Load
Provide with munition;
He loaded his gun carefully
Load
Put (something) on a structure or conveyance;
Load the bags onto the trucks
Common Curiosities
Does load have other meanings besides putting data into a system?
Yes, 'load' can also mean to burden, or to fill a container or vehicle.
What does it mean to reload a webpage?
Reloading a webpage means refreshing the content, typically to update it or correct a display error.
Can reload be used without a prior load?
No, reloading implies that something was previously loaded and needs to be loaded again or refreshed.
What is the difference between load and reload?
'Load' is the process of initially placing something into a system or device, while 'reload' involves loading something again or refreshing it.
In what context is reload most commonly used?
'Reload' is commonly used in computing to refresh data and in firearms to refill with ammunition.
How does reloading affect performance in computing?
Reloading can refresh system resources, potentially improving performance by updating data or code.
Can reloading a firearm be done any time?
Yes, firearms can be reloaded as needed, either after firing all rounds or when there are still some left.
What does 'load capacity' refer to?
It refers to the maximum amount that can be loaded onto a structure or vehicle without causing harm.
Why is reloading important in software development?
Reloading allows developers to apply and test changes without restarting a program, enhancing productivity.
What is the significance of loading times in gaming?
Loading times refer to the duration it takes to load game data into memory, affecting gameplay smoothness.
What is a 'reload button' in browsers?
It's a button used to refresh the current webpage, often depicted as a circular arrow.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
