charge account

American  

noun

1. an account, especially in retailing, that permits a customer to buy merchandise and be billed for it at a later date.

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charge account British  

noun

1. another term for credit account

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Etymology

Origin of charge account

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

First, Hubbard would need Olmstead to pay off several thousand dollars of debt he had accrued, as well as open a charge account for his pregnant wife.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2021

“We’ve moved away from cocaine eye drops to making chocolate or banana flavored antibiotics for kids. We no longer have charge account ledgers. Instead we have phone apps that let you refill your medications.”

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2019

Mark Twain was a customer “This is a charge account ledger from 1906 with an incredible collection of notable New Yorkers,” Mr. Ginsberg said.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2019

She said it was her spouse's debt, from a "revolving charge account."

From Salon • May 17, 2011

So I give her Dad's name and the home number, and then she wants our Sears charge account number.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements