/ Dictionary / Index P public charge: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: pub'lic charge' Pronunciation: [key] a person who is in economic distress and is supported at government expense: He assured the American consul that the prospective immigrant would not become a public charge. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. Public Broadcasting Service public company Related Content Daily Word Quiz: loathe Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language