charge off

verb

charged off; charging off; charges off

transitive verb

: to treat as a loss or expense

charge-off

ˈchärj-ˌȯf

noun

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of charge off was in 1841

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Charge off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charge%20off. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Legal Definition

charge off

transitive verb

: to treat as a loss or expense

specifically : to deduct as a bad debt

part of the debt is charged off —

Code of Federal Regulations

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