In telecommunication, the term load has the following meanings:
1. The power consumed by a device or circuit in performing its function.
2. A power-consuming device connected to a circuit.
3. To enter data or programs into storage or working registers.
4. To insert data values into a database that previously contained no occurrences of data.
5. To place a magnetic tape reel on a tape drive, or to place cards into the card hopper of a card punch or reader.
Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188
The band Metallica released an album called Load, for which see for more information.