charter

American  

[chahr-ter] / ˈtʃɑr tər /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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)

Usage

What does charter mean? A charter is a document that defines the exact structure, rights, and organization of a state, colony, corporation, or similar, as in The American colonies were governed by charters authorized by the king of England. A charter is also authorization from a central organization for a sub-organization, like a chapter or branch. To charter means to establish a sub-organization, like a branch or colony, as in The company just chartered its fourth branch this year. A charter can also describe a trip or method of transportation that is organized and established by a corporation or group. Related to this, to charter means to rent or lease for exclusive use, such as for a trip, as in The school chartered buses to take the soccer team to away games. Example: The Charter of the United Nations established the basis for what the organization is today.

Related Words

See hire.

Other Word Forms

• charterable adjective
• charterage noun
• charterer noun
• charterless adjective
• recharter verb (used with object)
• subcharter noun

Etymology

Origin of charter

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

Explanation

What do rock gods do when they travel? They charter their own plane, of course. Charter means you rent or lease a particular service or object. Anyone can charter something, though lesser mortals tend to limit themselves to buses. Charter comes from the Latin charta, meaning "paper, card or map." As a noun, charter refers to a written document outlining — or mapping — the rights and obligations of a company or organization, or even, in older days, a town or entire colony. New York City was given a charter, for example, by the British monarch in the 17th century, guaranteeing it certain rights in exchange for goods and services. Today corporations still have charters governing their behavior.

Example Sentences

The countries that join now will write the bank’s charter, while latecomers will have to accept the terms drafted by others.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

“I think this brings up the question as to whether Spencer Pratt can satisfy the residency requirement required under the charter to be elected mayor,” said Jessica Levinson, professor of law at Loyola Marymount University.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Hollybush Primary School in Londonderry has introduced a smartphone charter where parents voluntarily enter into a written agreement not to buy their child a device until after they finish primary seven.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Revolut, OakNorth and Bunq are currently seeking national licenses, while Brazil’s Nubank secured approval for a charter in late January.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

There is a new charter, they say, sent by the Virginia Company.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

Related Words

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