load

(1) To copy a program from some source, such as the hard disk or CD-ROM, into memory for execution. In the early days, programs were loaded first and then run. Today, when referring to applications, loading implies load and run. Thus, "load" the program, "run" the program and "launch" the program mean the same thing.

Many people also use the term to refer to installing an application, so "load the program" may mean "install the program."

(2) To fill up a disk with data or programs.

(3) To insert a disk or tape into a drive.

(4) In programming, to store data in a register.

(5) In performance measurement, the current use of a system as a percentage of total capacity.

(6) In electronics, the flow of current through a circuit.

(7) In a network, the volume of traffic.

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1.		load - To copy data (often program code to be run) into memory, possibly parsing it somehow in the process. E.g. "WordPerfect can't load this RTF file - are you sure it didn't get corrupted in the download?" Opposite of save.
2.		load - The degree to which a computer, network, or other resource is used, sometimes expressed as a percentage of the maximum available. E.g. "What kind of CPU load does that program give?", "The network's constantly running at 100% load". Sometimes used, by extension, to mean "to increase the level of use of a resource". E.g. "Loading a spreadsheet really loads the CPU". See also: load balancing.
3.		load - To install a piece of software onto a system. E.g. "The computer guy is gonna come load Excel on my laptop for me". This usage is widely considered to be incorrect.