charge

chargeverb

To charge is to put something onto someone or something, such as a price to pay, a crime to answer for, electricity, or a duty; it can also mean to run forward with force.

1. ask for moneyask someone to pay a particular amount of money for something

   The person who pays is the first object and the amount is the second: charge someone ten dollars. The thing paid for follows for.

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • How much do you charge for a haircut? V + obj
   • They charged us twenty dollars for delivery. V + obj + obj
   • The hotel doesn't charge for parking.
   • The shop charged me too much for the repair. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun charge a fee, charge interest, charge rent

   verb + preposition charge for something

   Compare cost (a thing costs an amount; a seller charges a buyer an amount)

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap The amount follows charge directly, with no preposition: charge someone ten dollars. For introduces the thing paid for: for delivery.

2. to an accountrecord the cost of something as an amount that someone must pay later

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Please charge the meal to my room. V + obj + prep + obj
   • I charged the tickets to my credit card. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition charge something to an account, charge something to a card

3. crimesay officially that someone has done a crime, so that they must answer for it in court

   The crime follows with.

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] usually passive [usually passive] law

   • He was charged with theft. usually passive (passive)
   • The police charged two men with robbery. V + obj + prep + obj
   • She has not been charged with any crime. usually passive (passive)

   Collocations

   verb + preposition charge someone with murder, charge someone with theft

   Synonyms accuse (accuse is used by anyone; charge is done officially, by the police or a court)

4. electricityput electricity into a battery or a device, or become filled with electricity

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj]

   • I need to charge my phone. V + obj
   • My laptop is charging.
   • Leave the batteries to charge overnight.

   Collocations

   verb + noun charge a phone, charge a battery

   adverb + verb fully charge

5. rush forwardrun quickly toward someone or something, especially to attack

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The bull charged at the farmer. V + adv/prep
   • The children charged into the kitchen. V + adv/prep
   • Sam came charging down the stairs. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   verb + preposition charge at someone, charge into a room, charge toward something

6. give a dutygive someone a job or a responsibility

   The duty follows with.

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] usually passive [usually passive] formal

   • She was charged with planning the event. usually passive (passive)
   • The committee is charged with finding a new director. usually passive (passive)

See also charge (the noun: a price, a crime, or electricity, and in charge of)