charger
1 Americannoun
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a platter.
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a large, shallow dish for liquids.
noun
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a person or thing that charges
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a large strong horse formerly ridden into battle
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a device for charging or recharging an accumulator or rechargeable battery
noun
Etymology
Origin of charger1
First recorded in 1475–85; charge + -er 1
Origin of charger2
First recorded in 1275–1325, charger is from the Middle English word chargeour. See charge, -or 2
Explanation
A charger is the accessory you plug into your phone or laptop when the battery power is low. If you're bringing your digital camera with you on vacation, it's important to remember your charger. Devices that are powered by rechargeable or internal batteries need a charger to keep that battery working. When you plug a laptop charger into an outlet, a jolt of electricity recharges the laptop battery's cells. An entirely different kind of charger is a war horse — a large, sturdy animal that was trained to carry soldiers in battle. This is the 18th century meaning of charger, and it's based on the verb charge and its meaning "rush into battle."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The airline said the captain decided to divert "in line with safety regulations" after a passenger informed crew during the flight that the portable charger was in the hold of the aircraft.
From BBC • May 24, 2026
Airlines are taking on a new flight-safety risk: the portable charger.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
He scurried around the Utilita Bowl to find a charger and finished the call with the wire plugged into his car.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
"Have one place for chargers... so when the phones go away, they go on the charger and that's it."
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
His charger wore a blanket of enameled crimson scales and gilded crinet and chamfron, while Lord Tywin himself sported a thick ermine cloak.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
