formal charge

noun

The charge assigned to an atom in a molecule, assuming that electrons in all chemical bonds are shared equally between atoms, regardless of relative electronegativity.

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Meanings

nounformal charge (countable and uncountable, plural formal charges)

plural formal charges

  1. countableuncountablechemistryThe charge assigned to an atom in a molecule, assuming that electrons in all chemical bonds are shared equally between atoms, regardless of relative electronegativity.
Cite this entry
APA

formal charge. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formal%20charge

MLA

“formal charge.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formal%20charge. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “formal charge,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formal%20charge.

Source: formal charge on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.