surcharge

American  

[sur-chahrj, sur-chahrj, sur-chahrj] / ˈsɜrˌtʃɑrdʒ, sɜrˈtʃɑrdʒ, ˈsɜrˌtʃɑrdʒ /

noun

1. an additional charge, tax, or cost.

2. an excessive sum or price charged.

3. an additional or excessive load or burden.

4. Philately.

   1. an overprint that alters or restates the face value or denomination of a stamp to which it has been applied.

   2. a stamp bearing such an overprint.

5. act of surcharging.

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verb (used with object)

surcharged, surcharging

1. to subject to an additional or extra charge, tax, cost, etc. (for payment).

2. to overcharge for goods.

3. to show an omission in (an account) of something that operates as a charge against the accounting party; to omit a credit toward (an account).

4. Philately. to print a surcharge on (a stamp).

5. to put an additional or excessive burden upon.

surcharge British  

noun

1. a charge in addition to the usual payment, tax, etc

2. an excessive sum charged, esp when unlawful

3. an extra and usually excessive burden or supply

4. law the act or an instance of surcharging

5. an overprint that alters the face value of a postage stamp

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verb

1. to charge an additional sum, tax, etc

2. to overcharge (a person) for something

3. to put an extra physical burden upon; overload

4. to fill to excess; overwhelm

5. law to insert credits that have been omitted in (an account)

6. to overprint a surcharge on (a stamp)

Other Word Forms

• surcharger noun
• unsurcharged adjective

Etymology

Origin of surcharge

1400–50; late Middle English surchargen (v.) < Old French surcharger. See sur- ¹, charge

Example Sentences

Lifeline, established in 1985, is financed by surcharges on consumer phone bills.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There are other options out there that don’t come with restaurant prices, demand surcharges, delivery fees and tip,” such as prepared foods at the grocery store.

From MarketWatch

About half of that is being paid through a surcharge on residential policyholders statewide.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the trustees report, that surcharge, known as IRMAA, could jump by a double-digit percentage over the next few years.

From MarketWatch

He was given a £147 fine at Westminster Magistrates' Court, as well as three penalty points on his licence, and ordered to pay £110 in costs and a £59 victim surcharge.

From BBC

Related Words

• expense
• payment
• surtax
• tax