indenture

1 of 2

noun

in·​den·​ture in-ˈden-chər 

1

a(1)

: a document or a section of a document that is indented

(2)

: a formal or official document usually executed in two or more copies

(3)

: a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time

—often used in plural

b

: a formal certificate (such as an inventory or voucher) prepared for purposes of control

c

: a document stating the terms under which a security (such as a bond) is issued

2

: indentation sense 2

3

[indent entry 3] : dent

indenture

2 of 2

verb

indentured; indenturing in-ˈden-ch(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to bind (someone, such as an apprentice) by or as if by indentures

Synonyms of indenture

Noun

• hole
• pit
• furrow
• cavity
• indentation
• dent
• dint

Examples of indenture in a Sentence

Noun

the dropped hammer left an indenture in the floor

made a small indenture to mark the spot where the plank was to be sawed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a little over a year, my three-decade indenture as a full-time laundress will come to an end. — Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024

Robin is all but accused of being a runaway servant; Franklin had indeed broken his indenture to his older brother. — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026

Verb

None of this can happen while she’s literally indentured to Laurie. — Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026

According to women who worked in the house, Iasmina Pencov racked up thousands of dollars in fines, effectively keeping her indentured. — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English endenture, from Anglo-French, from endenter

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for indenture

• adventure
• debenture
• bencher
• denture
• quencher
• trencher
• venture
• misadventure
• peradventure

Kids Definition

indenture

1 of 2 noun

in·​den·​ture in-ˈden-chər 

1

: a written agreement : contract

2

: a contract by which one person is made to work for another for a stated period

—often used in plural

indenture

2 of 2 verb

indentured; indenturing

: to bind by indentures

indenture an apprentice

Legal Definition

indenture

noun

in·​den·​ture in-ˈden-chər 

1

: a document stating the terms under which a security (as a debenture or other bond) is issued

specifically, in bankruptcy law : a document (as a mortgage or deed of trust) under which there is outstanding security constituting a claim against a debtor, a claim secured by a lien on any of the debtor's property, or an equity security of the debtor

2

: a deed or other document to which two or more parties (as both grantor and grantee) are bound

Etymology

Noun

Old French endenture an indented document, from endenter to indent (divide a document into sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication), from en- thoroughly + dent tooth