phrasal
1. : having the control or custody of something
the assistant manager was placed in charge of the shop
2. or in the charge or in one's charge : into or under the control or custody
given these pills in charge of Mrs. Sylk — Gabrielle Long
the papers were in the charge of the custodian of documents
3. : under supervision
the boy was taken in charge by his grandmother
4. Brit : into the hands of the police to be charged with violation of the law
caught the thief and gave him in charge