Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

charge

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
verb British English pronunciation: charge /tʃɑː(r)dʒ/ 
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theycharge
he/she/itcharges
present participlecharging
past tensecharged
past participlecharged
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to ask someone to pay an amount of money for something that you are selling to them or doing for them
    charge for:

    Most clubs charge for the use of tennis courts.

    charge someone something (for something):

    You will be charged a small fee for food and lodging.

    They charged us £20 for three drinks.

    be charged at something:

    All calls are charged at 36p per minute.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
  2. 2
    [transitive] to arrange for payment to be made later
    charge something to someone/something:

    The flights were charged to his personal account.

    Guests can make phone calls and charge them to their rooms.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
    1. a.
      mainly American to pay for something with a credit card

      I decided to charge it, since I didn't have any cash on me.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
  3. 3
    [transitive] to accuse someone officially of committing a crime

    Two men have been charged in connection with the fire.

    charge someone with something:

    The police have charged him with murder.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
    1. a.
      formal to claim that someone or something is bad or has done something bad
      charge someone/something with (doing) something:

      The report charges cars with being responsible for half of the century's air pollution problems.

      charge (that):

      Republicans blocked Lee's nomination, charging that he was unqualified for the job.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] to attack someone or something by running very fast towards them

    The colonel gave the order to charge.

    The security men panicked as angry fans charged towards them.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
    1. a.
      [intransitive] to move somewhere quickly and carelessly
      charge into/around/down etc:

      The door flew open and Penny charged into the room.

      problems caused by large lorries charging around country lanes

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
  5. 5

    charge

     or

    charge up

     [intransitive/transitive] to put electricity into a piece of electrical equipment such as a battery

    The phone won't work if it isn't charged up.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
  6. 6
    [transitive] formal to make someone officially responsible for doing something
    be charged with (doing) something:

    The company has been charged with maintaining our computer systems.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge
  7. 7
    [transitive] formal to fill a glass completely

    I would ask you all to charge your glasses and join me in a toast to Max and Sue.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of charge

phrasal verbs

This is the British English definition of charge. View American English definition of charge.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for charge.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog