Definition of charter
(Entry 1 of 3)
1 : a written instrument (see instrument entry 1 sense 5) or contract (such as a deed) executed in due form
2a : a grant or guarantee of rights, franchises, or privileges from the sovereign power of a state or country
The charter allows for unrestricted trading.
b : a written instrument that creates and defines the franchises (see franchise entry 1 sense 1) of a city, educational institution, or corporation
a city charter a corporate charter
c : constitution the Charter of the United Nations
3 : a written instrument from the authorities of a society creating a lodge or branch
The national headquarters approved the charter establishing the local lodge.
4 : a special privilege, immunity, or exemption
5 : a mercantile lease of a ship or some principal part of it
In the charter the ship's owner agreed to transport specified cargo to a specified port.
6a : a charter travel arrangement
An agent handled the charter providing aircraft travel to and from the tournament.
b : a chartered plane, bus, etc.
Their charter had just landed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport and … everyone in the Mariners' traveling party had to slog through a tedious customs check and then claim his own luggage.— Jeff Pearlman
7 : charter school He pushed for the closure of Chicago's worst schools … and opened dozens of new schools, many of them charters.— Amanda Paulson et al.
charter
verbchartered; chartering; charters
Definition of charter (Entry 2 of 3)
1a : to establish, enable, or convey by charter
The city was chartered in 1837.
2 : to hire, rent, or lease for usually exclusive and temporary use
chartered a boat for deep-sea fishing
charter
adjectiveDefinition of charter (Entry 3 of 3)
: of, relating to, or being a travel arrangement in which transportation (such as a bus or plane) is hired by and for one specific group of people
a charter flight
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Time Traveler for charter
The first known use of charter was in the 13th century
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