recharge

verb

re·​charge (ˌ)rē-ˈchärj 

recharged; recharging; recharges

intransitive verb

1

: to make a new attack

2

: to regain energy or spirit

3

: to become charged again : to refill with electric charge

Batteries keep our devices working throughout the day—that is, they have a high energy density—but they can take hours to recharge when they run down.

—Patrice Simon et al.

transitive verb

1

: to charge again

especially : to restore anew the active materials in (a storage battery)

2

: to inspire or invigorate afresh : renew

recharge

(ˌ)rē-ˈchärj  ˈrē-ˌchärj 

noun

rechargeable

(ˌ)rē-ˈchär-jə-bəl 

adjective

recharger

(ˌ)rē-ˈchär-jər 

noun

Synonyms of recharge

• restore
• refresh
• revive
• recreate
• replenish
• renew

Examples of recharge in a Sentence

When the computer beeps, you need to recharge the battery.

It takes about an hour for the battery to recharge.

Take a break to give yourself time to recharge.

Recent Examples on the Web

The buds recharge quickly, with 10 minutes of charging giving them four hours of playback time. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

While recharging a smartwatch is a minor inconvenience, replacing the battery in a medical implant can require another surgery, adding costs and medical risks. — New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

And while Buffalo and Jacksonville can use the break to rest and recharge, fans in Washington and Los Angeles are hoping a week away might somehow fix what’s gone wrong. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

The smiling, amiable android understands very little about her surroundings, believing that the sun (which recharges her batteries) is a deity that listens to her prayers to be chosen by a human. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing recharge

• recharge one's batteries

Rhymes for recharge

• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• surcharge
• barge
• charge
• large
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• overcharge

Kids Definition

recharge

verb

re·​charge rē-ˈchärj 

1

: to make a new attack

2

: to charge again

especially : to restore the chemical energy of (a storage battery) so it may be used again

3

: to make or become restored in energy or spirit : renew

needed some time to relax and recharge

rechargeable

-ˈchär-jə-bəl 

adjective

recharger

-jər 

noun