charge

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 all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at command