charger

1 of 2

noun (1)

char·​ger ˈchär-jər How to pronounce charger (audio)
: a large flat dish or platter

charger

2 of 2

noun (2)

charg·​er ˈchär-jər How to pronounce charger (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This little charger uses cutting-edge Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology for unmatched efficiency and heat management. New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2025 Read More The Best MagSafe Wireless Chargers Keep your iPhone battery topped up with a magnetic MagSafe wireless charger. Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2025 Charging an electric bike typically takes between 3 to 6 hours, depending on the battery’s capacity and the charger’s output. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025 Police began investigating in August 2023, after Dutton’s now-former girlfriend discovered an odd-looking USB phone charger plugged into an outlet in a bathroom shared by her two teenage daughters at their Bristol Township home, officials said. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charger

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of charger was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Charger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charger. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

charger

1 of 2 noun
char·​ger ˈchär-jər How to pronounce charger (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on charger

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