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
Taylor suggests keeping a cold weather survival kit, packed with things like a phone charger, jumper cables, snacks and water, at the ready and in the car. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025 If California’s plan to subsidize chargers at multi-family dwellings takes off, and if those chargers prove reliable — a big if — EVs could attract more mainstream buyers. Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 Your kids will also be happy with the rear phone chargers and plethora of cupholders. Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Someone responded that their pet ate a laptop, Bible, two chargers and a pillowcase when home alone. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near charger

Cite this Entry

“Charger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charger. Accessed 22 Jan. 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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