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

And this crossbody purse that's on sale for $10 comes with an adjustable strap, as well as a spacious interior pocket that can fit your portable charger, wallet, phone, headphones, and more. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025

This new policy aims to reduce the risk of fire from overheating chargers. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 May 2025

Smoke and flames erupted in the cabin of the flight due to the portable charger overheating in the passenger’s carry-on luggage. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025

Southwest Airlines is implementing a rule later this month that will require flyers who use portable chargers and batteries while traveling on their flights to keep the electronics in plain sight, citing potential fire risks. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 21 May 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

Rhymes for charger

• barger
• larger
• discharger
• supercharger
• turbocharger

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