Entry Word: charge

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person <charges of burglary and armed robbery that have yet to be proved>

Synonyms complaint, count, indictment, rap

Related Words accusation, allegation; arraignment, impeachment; implication, innuendo, insinuation; censure, condemnation, denunciation; incrimination

2 a specific task with which a person or group is charged <your charge is to keep everyone else organized and busy> — see mission
3 a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned <we've received an official charge about how to handle the situation> — see command 1
4 something one must do because of prior agreement <the first charge of our armed forces is to defend this country against enemy attack> — see obligation
5 the act or action of setting upon with force or violence <the famously disastrous charge led by General George Pickett at Gettysburg> — see attack 1
6 the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something <the charge for the book will be five dollars> — see price 1
7 the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control <was given charge of the business during the ownerʼs absence> — see supervision 1