charge

¹charge

noun \ˈchärj\

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

a : expense, cost <gave the banquet at his own charge>

b : the price demanded for something <no admission charge>

c : a debit to an account <the purchase was a charge>

d : the record of a loan (as of a book from a library)

e British : an interest in property granted as security for a loan

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>

Examples of CHARGE

1. He set off a charge that destroyed the mountain.
2. He has charge of the building.
3. There is no charge for fixing the tire.
4. a delivery charge for the refrigerator
5. an admission charge at the fair

Origin of CHARGE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from charger

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CHARGE

Synonyms

complaint, count, indictment, rap

Related Words

accusation, allegation, plea; crimination; counteraccusation, countercharge; arraignment, impeachment; implication, imputation, innuendo, insinuation; censure, condemnation, denunciation; incrimination, recrimination

Near Antonyms

appeal, entreaty, petition, plea, urging; proposal, recommendation, suggestion

Rhymes with CHARGE

barge, large, marge, parge, sarge, sparge, targe

²charge

verb

chargedcharg·ing

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

a : to bring (a weapon) into position for attack : level <charge a lance>

b : to rush against : attack; also : to rush into (an opponent) usually illegally in various sports

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>

Examples of CHARGE

1. We tried to charge the car's battery.
2. The government charged that he had not paid taxes for five years.
3. It is not clear if he violated the rules, as his critics have charged.
4. The basketball player was charged with a foul.

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

Related to CHARGE

Synonyms

ask, command, demand

Antonyms

remit

Related Words

overcharge, undercharge; bring, fetch, sell (for); discount, mark down, mark up; assess, bill, invoice; price, value

Near Antonyms

abate, diminish, lessen; forgive, release; condone, disregard, excuse, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardon

See Synonym Discussion at command