payload

/ˈpeɪloʊd/
noun

Meaning

That part of a cargo that produces revenue.
That part of a rocket, missile, propelled stinger, or torpedo that is not concerned with propulsion or guidance, such as a warhead or satellite.
The functional part of a computer virus or another type of malware program, rather than the part that spreads it.
That part of a cargo that produces revenue.
The actual data in a data stream.
The total weight of passengers, crew, equipment, and cargo carried by an aircraft or spacecraft.

Examples

1990, Dave Mustaine, "Rust in Peace... Polaris", Megadeth, Rust in Peace. I spread disease like a dog / Discharge my payload a mile high / Rotten egg air of death wrestles your nostrils
Vendors must also describe to the Air Force whether they have experience integrating the device with payloads from other businesses, if they are capable of supporting flight test operations and working with ground support equipment and how soon the capability can be delivered. “Thrust Vector control must be included as a control methodology,” the service wrote in the request. “Other capability measurements of interest are, but not limited to, flight path angle, total impulse, speed, range, payload characteristics.

Word Forms

payloads

Etymology

From pay + load. From the early 20th century.

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