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

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

Sovereign credit ratings express the likelihood that sovereign borrowers will repay borrowed money on time and in full based on the terms of the indenture. —Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Unlike the definition of indenture servitude, in which someone works for a single employer without pay, visa holders may change employers and are paid. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

Verb

Instead, the team wanted to build a unique protagonist with a distinct personality, but one indentured to Buss’ real challenges and clever solutions. —Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025

Looming over them is the Big Tex Fish Cannery, where unemployed mothers are indentured to feed their children, who are allowed to visit in 20-minute increments. —David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025

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