recharge
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to charge again with electricity.
-
Informal. to refresh or restore; revitalize.
verb (used without object)
-
to make a new charge, especially to attack again.
-
Informal. to revive or restore energy, stamina, enthusiasm, etc.
noun
-
an act or instance of recharging.
-
Geology. the processes by which groundwater is absorbed into the zone of saturation.
verb
-
to cause (an accumulator, capacitor, etc) to take up and store electricity again
-
to revive or renew (one's energies) (esp in recharge one's batteries )
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of recharge
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: “to reload (a vessel)”; see re-, charge
Explanation
When you recharge something, you bring it back to life or reenergize it. You might charge your cell phone in the morning and then recharge it later in the day. If you can charge your electronics (or provide them with electrical energy), you can also recharge them when that energy is depleted. In addition to your camera battery and laptop, sometimes you need to recharge yourself, or take a break so you can become energized again. Less commonly, recharge is used to mean "refill a glass," and the original meaning, in the fifteenth century, was "to reload a vessel."
Vocabulary lists containing recharge
Earth Science - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Earth Science - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Earth Science - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
By learning how to recharge those tiny engines, scientists may be opening a new path in the fight against dementia.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
Activities include yoga, guided meditation, painting and dance; they’re meant “to help attendees relax, recharge, and reconnect in the heart of L.A. County parks.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
At the moment, this is set at 250kw, rather than the maximum recharge limit of 350kw which can be applied when a driver has lifted off the throttle and/or is braking.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
A typical Level 2 charger will fully recharge a vehicle in four to 10 hours.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Tally planned to do most of her traveling at night, letting the hoverboard recharge in sunlight, wasting no time.
From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld
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.
