charger

1 of 2

noun (1)

char·​ger ˈchär-jər 

: a large flat dish or platter

charger

2 of 2

noun (2)

charg·​er ˈchär-jər 

1

: one that charges: such as

a

: an appliance for holding or inserting a charge of powder or shot in a gun

b

: a cartridge clip

c

: a device for charging storage batteries

2

: a horse for battle or parade

Examples of charger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This should include: Non-perishable food and water for at least three days. Medications and a first-aid kit. Flashlights, extra batteries and a phone charger. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Older kids might also appreciate clocks that double as a phone charger or speaker. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 28 Jan. 2025

Listen to this article In its quest to get a million electric vehicles on the road by 2030, Illinois was counting on $148 million in federal funding to help build a statewide network of public EV chargers. —Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025

Except this time, the cars will be quickly recharged by powerful 600 kW fast chargers. —Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English chargeour, borrowed from Anglo-French, from charger "to load, burden" + -eour -er entry 2 — more at charge entry 1

Note: Oxford English Dictionary, first edition, Middle English Dictionary, and Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch treat the etymon of this word as distinct from the etymon of charger entry 2, presumably on the grounds that the suffix, here designating a place, goes back to -eoir, from Latin -ātōrium, though there is little evidence for this in manuscript spellings. The meaning "dish or platter" found in Anglo-French appears not to have a parallel on the continent.

Noun (2)

Middle English chargere "someone who loads or burdens," from charger "to load, burden" + -ere -er entry 2 — more at -er entry 2 — more at charge entry 1

Note: See note at charge entry 1.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

charger

1 of 2 noun

char·​ger ˈchär-jər 

: a large flat dish or platter

charger

2 of 2 noun

charg·​er

ˈchär-jər

1

: a cavalry horse

2

: a device for charging storage batteries