2 charge
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural chargesMeaning:
1 [count] a : an amount of electricity ▪ an electrical charge b : the amount of an explosive material (such as dynamite) that is used in a single blast ▪ He set off a charge that destroyed the mountain. —compare depth charge
2 [noncount] : the responsibility of managing or watching over something ▪ He has charge of the building. ▪ He wanted to take charge [=take control] of the organization.
3 [count] : an amount of money that someone asks for in return for providing or doing something : the price charged for something ▪ There is no charge for fixing the tire. ▪ a delivery charge for the refrigerator ▪ a monthly charge ▪ an admission charge at the fair ▪ The concert at the school is free of charge. [=costs nothing to attend] ▪ A second member of your family can join at no charge. [=without paying] synonyms 1price
4 [count] a law : a formal accusation that someone committed a crime ▪ a charge of burglary ▪ They dropped the charges against him. ▪ She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. ▪ He decided not to bring/press charges. [=to formally accuse someone of a crime] ▪ Will she face charges? [=will she be charged?] b : a statement that criticizes someone or says that someone has done something wrong : an accusation or criticism ▪ The senator rejects charges that he is too liberal. ▪ She responded to the charges of plagiarism.
5 [count] formal : a person (such as a child) that another person must guard or take care of ▪ She loved to play with her young charges at the day-care center.
6 [count] : a judge's instructions to a jury before it begins deciding a verdict ▪ The judge delivered his charge to the jury.
7 [count] : an act of running or rushing forward especially in order to make an attack ▪ a cavalry charge ▪ Tennyson's poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade”
8 [singular] US informal : a feeling of joy or excitement ▪ The children got a charge out of [=were amused by] the juggler. ▪ He gets a charge out of teasing his sister.
2 [noncount] : the responsibility of managing or watching over something ▪ He has charge of the building. ▪ He wanted to take charge [=take control] of the organization.
3 [count] : an amount of money that someone asks for in return for providing or doing something : the price charged for something ▪ There is no charge for fixing the tire. ▪ a delivery charge for the refrigerator ▪ a monthly charge ▪ an admission charge at the fair ▪ The concert at the school is free of charge. [=costs nothing to attend] ▪ A second member of your family can join at no charge. [=without paying] synonyms 1price
4 [count] a law : a formal accusation that someone committed a crime ▪ a charge of burglary ▪ They dropped the charges against him. ▪ She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. ▪ He decided not to bring/press charges. [=to formally accuse someone of a crime] ▪ Will she face charges? [=will she be charged?] b : a statement that criticizes someone or says that someone has done something wrong : an accusation or criticism ▪ The senator rejects charges that he is too liberal. ▪ She responded to the charges of plagiarism.
5 [count] formal : a person (such as a child) that another person must guard or take care of ▪ She loved to play with her young charges at the day-care center.
6 [count] : a judge's instructions to a jury before it begins deciding a verdict ▪ The judge delivered his charge to the jury.
7 [count] : an act of running or rushing forward especially in order to make an attack ▪ a cavalry charge ▪ Tennyson's poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade”
8 [singular] US informal : a feeling of joy or excitement ▪ The children got a charge out of [=were amused by] the juggler. ▪ He gets a charge out of teasing his sister.
in charge
: having control of or responsibility for something ▪ She is in charge of hiring new employees. ▪ I am not sure who is in charge at the restaurant.
reverse the charges —see 1reverse