1. the amount or weight of cargo, number of passengers, etc., that an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel can carry.
2. the percentage of available seats, space, or maximum carrying weight paid for and used by passengers, shippers, etc.: An airline can't profit on a 40 percent load factor.
3. Elect. the ratio of the average load over a designated period of time to the peak load occurring in that period.
[ 1890-95 ]