Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of charge verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Oxford3000

charge

verb
charge pronunciation English tʃɑːdʒ charge pronunciation American tʃɑːrdʒ
 
 

money

1 [transitive, intransitive] to ask an amount of money for goods or a servicecharge something for something What did they charge for the repairs?The restaurant charged £20 for dinner.They're charging £3 for the catalogue.charge somebody for something We won't charge you for delivery.charge something at something Calls are charged at 36p per minute.charge somebody something (for something) He only charged me half price.charge for something Do you think museums should charge for admission?charge (somebody) to do something The bank doesn't charge to stop a payment.2 [transitive] to record the cost of something as an amount that somebody has to paycharge something to something They charge the calls to their credit-card account. (North American English) charge something Don't worry. I'll charge it (= pay by credit card).
 

with crime/something wrong

3 [transitive] to accuse somebody formally of a crime so that there can be a trial in courtcharge somebody Several people were arrested but nobody was charged.charge somebody with something/with doing something He was charged with murder.4 [transitive] charge somebody (with something/with doing something) (formal) to accuse somebody publicly of doing something wrong or badOpposition MPs charged the minister with neglecting her duty.
 

rush/attack

5 [intransitive, transitive] to rush forward and attack somebody/somethingThe bull put its head down and charged.charge (at) somebody/something We charged at the enemy.6 [intransitive] + adverb/preposition to rush in a particular directionThe children charged down the stairs.He came charging into my room and demanded to know what was going on.
 

with electricity

7 [transitive] to pass electricity through something so that it is stored therecharge something Before use, the battery must be charged.charge something up The shaver can be charged up and used when travelling.
 

with responsibility/task

8 [transitive] (usually passive) (formal) to give somebody a responsibility or taskcharge somebody with something The committee has been charged with the development of sport in the region.charge somebody with doing something The governing body is charged with managing the school within its budget.
 

with strong feeling

9 [transitive] (usually passive) charge something (with something) (literary) to fill somebody with an emotionThe room was charged with hatred.a highly charged atmosphere
 

glass

10 [transitive] charge something (British English, formal) to fill a glassPlease charge your glasses and drink a toast to the bride and groom!
 

gun

11 [transitive] charge something (old use) to load a gun