public charge

noun
UK: /ˈpʌblɪk tʃɑːdʒ/
US: /ˈpʌblɪk tʃɑːrdʒ/

  1. A person who is mainly dependent on the government for support.

    1. He worried about becoming a public charge if he lost his job.
    2. The new law aims to prevent immigrants from becoming a public charge on the state.

Synonyms

dependent
public charge adjective

  1. Relating to or describing someone who is primarily dependent on public assistance for their living expenses.

    1. She fears being labeled a public charge if she accepts government aid.
    2. The policy change may affect individuals deemed to be a potential public charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "public charge" is /ˈpʌblɪk tʃɑːdʒ/ in British English and /ˈpʌblɪk tʃɑːrdʒ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "public charge": dependent.

Example usage of "public charge": "He worried about becoming a public charge if he lost his job.". More examples on the page.