1. the cargo or passengers carried by a vehicle, especially an aircraft or spacecraft
Usage: aerospace; transportation
2. the explosive warhead of a missile or bomb
Usage: military
3. the part of transmitted data that is the actual intended message, excluding headers and metadata
Usage: computing; telecommunications

Examples

• The rocket’s payload included three satellites for communication.
• The cargo plane carried a payload of medical supplies to the disaster zone.
• The missile’s payload was designed to destroy underground bunkers.
• Engineers reduced the spacecraft’s weight to increase its payload capacity.
• The network packet’s payload contained the actual email message.
• The bomber dropped its payload on the target and returned to base.