English

Alternative forms

• load-bearing

Adjective

load bearing (comparative and superlative not attested)

1. (construction and civil engineering) Able to support a load.
   • 1906: American Railway Development Association, Proceedings of Meeting, American Railway Industrial Association, Railway Industrial Association

     Too many otherwise suitable sites may be found to have sink holes, cavities, or poor load bearing qualities.

   • 1953 O. T. (Oswald Theodore) Zimmerman, Irvin Lavine, Industrial Research Service's Handbook of Material Trade Names

     It...is characterised by...excellent load bearing characteristics at elevated temperatures.

   • 2006: Blaine Erickson Brownell, Transmaterial: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment

     They are also one-hour fire rated on load bearing interior and exterior walls.