Charge Definition
charge
noun
- an impetuous rush toward someone or something; "the wrestler's charge carried him past his adversary"; "the battle began with a cavalry charge"
- (criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense; "he was arrested on a charge of larceny"
- the price charged for some article or service; "the admission charge"
- the quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons; "the battery needed a fresh charge"
- attention and management implying responsibility for safety; "he is in the care of a bodyguard"
- a special assignment that is given to a person or group; "a confidential mission to London"; "his charge was deliver a message"
- a person committed to your care; "the teacher led her charges across the street"
- financial liabilities (such as a tax); "the charges against the estate"
- (psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object; "Freud thought of cathexis as a psychic analog of an electrical charge"
- the swift release of a store of affective force; "they got a great bang out of it"; "what a boot!"; "he got a quick rush from injecting heroin"; "he does it for kicks"
- request for payment of a debt; "they submitted their charges at the end of each month"
- a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something; "the judge's charge to the jury"
- an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence; "the newspaper published charges that Jones was guilty of drunken driving"
- heraldry consisting of a design or image depicted on a shield
- a quantity of explosive to be set off at one time; "this cartridge has a powder charge of 50 grains"
verb
- to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle; "he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork"
- blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against; "he charged the director with indifference"
- demand payment; "Will I get charged for this service?"; "We were billed for 4 nights in the hotel, although we stayed only 3 nights"
- move quickly and violently; "The car tore down the street"; "He came charging into my office"
- assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to; "He was appointed deputy manager"; "She was charged with supervising the creation of a concordance"
- file a formal charge against; "The suspect was charged with murdering his wife"
- make an accusatory claim; "The defense attorney charged that the jurors were biased"
- fill or load to capacity; "charge the wagon with hay"
- enter a certain amount as a charge; "he charged me $15"
- cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution; "After the second episode, she had to be committed"; "he was committed to prison"
- give over to another for care or safekeeping; "consign your baggage"
- pay with a credit card; pay with plastic money; postpone payment by recording a purchase as a debt; "Will you pay cash or charge the purchase?"
- lie down on command, of hunting dogs
- cause to be agitated, excited, or roused; "The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks"
- place a heraldic bearing on; "charge all weapons, shields, and banners"
- provide (a device) with something necessary; "He loaded his gun carefully"; "load the camera"
- direct into a position for use; "point a gun"; "He charged his weapon at me"
- impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to; "He charged her with cleaning up all the files over the weekend"
- instruct (a jury) about the law, its application, and the weighing of evidence
- instruct or command with authority; "The teacher charged the children to memorize the poem"
- attribute responsibility to; "We blamed the accident on her"; "The tragedy was charged to her inexperience"
- set or ask for a certain price; "How much do you charge for lunch?"; "This fellow charges $100 for a massage"
- cause formation of a net electrical charge in or on; "charge a conductor"
- energize a battery by passing a current through it in the direction opposite to discharge; "I need to charge my car battery"
- saturate; "The room was charged with tension and anxiety"
"Charge" in song lyrics
See how charge is used in real songs:
-
"A killer with a helluva charge"
415 — Court in the Street -
"I'm gorgeous George, I'm charge in charge"
50/50 Twin f/ Lil' O — The Takeover -
"if you accept the charge"
51.50 — Games People Play
Words that rhyme with charge
Usage tips for "charge"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "charge" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for charge to find words that pair well.