1. the cargo or passengers carried by a vehicle, especially an aircraft or spacecraft
Usage: aerospace; transportation
2. the part of a missile or rocket that carries the warhead or instruments
Usage: military; aerospace
3. the actual data being transmitted in a communication system, excluding headers and control information
Usage: computing; telecommunications

Examples

• The rocket successfully delivered its scientific payloads to the International Space Station.
• Commercial airlines must carefully calculate their payloads to ensure safe flight operations.
• The missile’s payload contained advanced guidance systems.
• Network engineers analyzed the payloads to identify the source of the data corruption.
• The spacecraft carried multiple payloads for different research missions.
• Heavy payloads require more fuel and stronger engines.
• The satellite’s payloads included cameras and communication equipment.