charter

[ chahr-ter ]

noun

1. a document, issued by a sovereign or state, outlining the conditions under which a corporation, colony, city, or other corporate body is organized, and defining its rights and privileges.
2. (often initial capital letter) a document defining the formal organization of a corporate body; constitution:

   the Charter of the United Nations.

3. authorization from a central or parent organization to establish a new branch, chapter, etc.
4. a grant by a sovereign power creating a corporation, as the royal charters granted to British colonies in America.
5. Also called charter party. a contract by which part or all of a ship is leased for a voyage or a stated time.
6. a tour, vacation, or trip by charter arrangement:

   The travel agency is offering charters to Europe and the Caribbean.

7. special privilege or immunity.

verb (used with object)

1. to establish by charter:

   to charter a bank.

2. to lease or hire for exclusive use:

   The company will charter six buses for the picnic.

3. to give special favor or privilege to.

adjective

1. of or relating to a method of travel in which the transportation is specially leased or hired for members of a group or association:

   a charter flight to Europe.

2. that can be leased or hired for exclusive or private use:

   a charter boat for deep-sea fishing.

3. done or held in accordance with a charter:

   a charter school.

charter

/ ˈtʃɑːtə /

noun

1. a formal document from the sovereign or state incorporating a city, bank, college, etc, and specifying its purposes and rights
2. sometimes capital a formal document granting or demanding from the sovereign power of a state certain rights or liberties
3. a document issued by a society or an organization authorizing the establishment of a local branch or chapter
4. a special privilege or exemption
5. often capital the fundamental principles of an organization; constitution

   the Charter of the United Nations

6. 1. the hire or lease of transportation
   2. the agreement or contract regulating this
   3. ( as modifier )

      a charter flight

7. a law, policy, or decision containing a loophole which allows a specified group to engage more easily in an activity considered undesirable

   a beggars' charter

8. maritime law another word for charterparty

verb

1. to lease or hire by charterparty
2. to hire (a vehicle, etc)
3. to grant a charter of incorporation or liberties to (a group or person)

Derived Forms

• ˈcharterer, noun

Other Words From

• charter·a·ble adjective
• charter·age noun
• charter·er noun
• charter·less adjective
• re·charter verb (used with object) noun
• subcharter noun verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of charter¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English chartre from Old French from Latin chartul(a) “little paper,” equivalent to chart(a) ( charta ) + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of charter¹

C13: from Old French chartre, from Latin chartula a little paper, from charta leaf of papyrus; see chart

Synonym Study

See hire.

Example Sentences

While the Los Angeles County charter changes didn’t get as much attention as other high-profile measures on the ballot, make no mistake: This wonky governance reform package may be the most transformative decision county voters have made in decades.

From Los Angeles Times

The California Phone-Free Schools Act ordered the state’s 1,000 school districts, charter schools and county education offices to draft student cellphone policies by July 1, 2026 — and leaves it up to schools to decide whether to enforce outright bans or some level of restrictions to “support pupil learning and well-being.”

From Los Angeles Times

The AU Commission worked with the UN and other multilateral organisations to construct an "African peace and security architecture" that ranged from proactive diplomacy to avert looming conflicts through to coordinated mediation efforts and peacekeeping operations, all underpinned by norms and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the AU Constitutive Act.

From BBC

The biggest investment is in London, with £324,000 from the Mayor's Women's Night Safety Charter Fund and £32,000 from the Metropolitan Police.

From BBC

Measure DD would have amended the Santa Ana City Charter to allow noncitizen voting by the November 2028 general municipal election for city council positions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• code
• constitution
• contract
• document
• license
• pact
• permit
• settlement