1.nounAn act or instance of lending, an act or instance of granting something for temporary use.
"Because of the loan that John made to me, I was able to pay my tuition for the upcoming semester."
2.nounA sum of money or other property that a natural or legal person borrows from another with the condition that it be returned or repaid over time or at a later date (sometimes with interest).
"All loans from the library, whether books or audio material, must be returned within two weeks."
3.nounThe contract and array of legal or ethical obligations surrounding a loan.