1 [+ obj] : to give an amount of electricity to (something) : to put electricity into a battery so that a machine or device will run
▪ We tried to charge the car's battery. ▪ My cell phone needs to be charged. = The battery in my cell phone needs to be charged. 2 [+ obj] formal : to give a job or responsibility to (a person or group) : to make (a person or group) responsible for something — usually used as (be) charged — usually + with ▪ The board was charged with deciding where to build a new school. ▪ the department charged with helping war veterans 3 [+ obj] a : to formally accuse (someone) of a crime — usually + with ▪ They charged him with theft. ▪ She was charged with murder.
b : to say that someone has done something wrong
▪ The government charged that he had not paid taxes for five years. ▪ It is not clear if he violated the rules, as his critics have charged.
c : to say that a player has broken the rules in a game
▪ The basketball player was charged with a foul. 4 a [+ obj] : to rush toward (a person, place, etc.)
▪ The bull charged the matador. ▪ Fans charged [=rushed] the stage but were stopped by the security guards.
b [no obj] : to rush in a particular direction
▪ People charged toward the stage. ▪ She came charging into the room. ▪ The bull charged right at me. ▪ a charging rhinoceros 5 [+ obj] : to create a record of an amount of money that is owed
▪ The clerk charged the purchase to my account. ▪ The expenses were charged against the company's earnings. 6 a : to ask for money in return for providing or doing something [no obj] ▪ Do you charge for fixing flat tires? [+ obj] ▪ They charge a fee for late payment. ▪ charge tuition
b [+ obj] : to ask for (a specific amount of money) as a price, rate, or fee
▪ The shop charged $100 for repairs. ▪ The bank charged eight percent interest on the loan.
c [+ obj] : to ask for payment from (a customer, client, etc.)
▪ They charged me $500 to fix the engine. ▪ She charged the city thousands of dollars for her work.