First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1charge
noun \ˈchärj\
: an amount of electricity
: the amount of an explosive material (such as dynamite) that is used in a single blast
: the responsibility of managing or watching over something
Full Definition of CHARGE
1
a obsolete : a material load or weight b : a figure borne on a heraldic field
2
a : the quantity that an apparatus is intended to receive and fitted to hold b : the quantity of explosive used in a single discharge c : a store or accumulation of impelling force <the deeply emotional charge of the drama> d : a definite quantity of electricity; especially : an excess or deficiency of electrons in a body e : thrill, kick <got a charge out of the game>
3
a : obligation, requirement b : management, supervision <has charge of the home office> c : the ecclesiastical jurisdiction (as a parish) committed to a clergyman d : a person or thing committed to the care of another
4
a : instruction, command b : instruction in points of law given by a court to a jury
5
6
a : a formal assertion of illegality <a charge of murder> b : a statement of complaint or hostile criticism <denied the charges of nepotism that were leveled against him>
7
a (1) : a violent rush forward (as to attack) <the charge of the brigade> (2) : the signal for attack <sound the charge> b : a usually illegal rush into an opponent in various sports (as basketball)
— in charge
: having control or custody of something <he is in charge of the training program>
See charge defined for English-language learners
See charge defined for kids
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Origin of CHARGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from charger
Related to CHARGE
- Synonyms
- complaint, count, indictment, rap
2charge
verb
: to give an amount of electricity to (something) : to put electricity into a battery so that a machine or device will run
: to give a job or responsibility to (a person or group) : to make (a person or group) responsible for something
: to formally accuse (someone) of a crime
chargedcharg·ing
Full Definition of CHARGE
transitive verb
1
a archaic : to lay or put a load on or in : load b (1) : to place a charge (as of powder) in (2) : to load or fill to capacity c (1) : to restore the active materials in (a storage battery) by the passage of a direct current through in the opposite direction to that of discharge (2) : to give an electric charge to <charge a capacitor> d (1) : to assume as a heraldic bearing (2) : to place a heraldic bearing on e : to fill or furnish fully <the music is charged with excitement> f : electrify 2 <the crowd was charged by her performance>
2
a : to impose a task or responsibility on <charge him with the job of finding a new meeting place> b : to command, instruct, or exhort with authority <I charge you not to go> c of a judge : to give a charge to (a jury)
3
a : to make an assertion against especially by ascribing guilt or blame <charges him with armed robbery> <they were charged as being instigators> b : to place the guilt or blame for <charge her failure to negligence> c : to assert as an accusation <charges that he distorted the data>
4
5
a (1) : to impose a financial burden on <charge his estate with debts incurred> (2) : to impose or record as financial obligation <charge debts to an estate> b (1) : to fix or ask as fee or payment <charges $50 for an office visit> (2) : to ask payment of (a person) <charge a client for expenses> c : to record (an item) as an expense, debt, obligation, or liability <charged a new sofa>
intransitive verb
1
: to rush forward in or as if in assault : attack; also : to charge an opponent in sports
2
: to ask or set a price <do you charge for this service?>
3
: to charge an item to an account <charge now, pay later>
See charge defined for English-language learners
Origin of CHARGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French charger, from Late Latin carricare, from Latin carrus wheeled vehicle — more at car
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of CHARGE
command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority <a general commanding troops>. order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise <ordered his employees about like slaves>. bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants) <she bade him be seated>. enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude <a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet>. direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality <directed her assistant to hold all calls> <the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark>. charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility <charged by the President with a secret mission>.
CHARGES Defined for Kids
1charge
noun \ˈchärj\
Definition of CHARGE for Kids
1
: the responsibility of managing, controlling, or caring for <She has charge of the building.> <He took charge of the planning.>
2
: a task or duty given to a person : obligation <Grooming the animals was his charge.>
3
: a person or thing given to someone to look after <At long last, each of our charges was tucked in bed. — Ann M. Martin, Baby-sitters' Winter Vacation>
4
: the price asked especially for a service
5
: an amount listed as a debt on an account <charges on a phone bill>
6
: accusation <a charge of mutiny>
7
: an instruction or command based on authority <a judge's charge to a jury>
8
: the amount of an explosive material (as dynamite) used in a single blast
9
: an amount of electricity <an electrical charge>
10
: a rushing attack <the soldiers' charge>
11
: the signal for attack <Sound the charge!>
2charge
verb
chargedcharg·ing
Definition of CHARGE for Kids
1
: to give an electric charge to <charge a device>
2
: to refill (as an exhausted battery) with available energy
3
: to give a task, duty, or responsibility to <I was charged with supervising the children.>
4
: to instruct or command with authority <… he cried to his sons, and charged them to yield … — Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee>
5
: to accuse especially formally <He was charged with speeding.>
6
: to rush toward or against <The bull charged the matador.>
7
: to ask for payment from <You charged me too much.>
8
: to ask or set as a price or fee <The garage charged 100 dollars for repairs.>
9
: to enter as a debt or responsibility on a record <The purchase was charged to her account.>
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