charter
/ˈtʃɑːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃɑːrtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈchär-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtʃɑː.tər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃɑːr.t̬ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
charter — noun
- chartersingular
- chartersplural
1. a written document that formally states the basic rights, aims, or principles of
a written document that formally states the basic rights, aims, or principles of a country, organization, or social group, typically issued by a ruler or governing body, or requested by the people.
The United Nations Charter was signed in 1945 by fifty countries.
collocation: UN Charter / founding document of an organisation
The mayor promised to create a new city charter that protects residents' rights.
After long debates, the school's charter was updated to include a clear anti-discrimination policy.
Citizens demanded a charter of rights from the newly elected government.
- constitution
the supreme legal framework of a country or state — more foundational than a charter
- covenant
a formal, often religious, agreement — narrower and more solemn in tone
- bill of rights
specifically a list of fundamental rights, rather than an organisation's aims
- articles of incorporation
the legal document that creates a corporation — narrower than a general charter
用法筆記
Often capitalised when used as part of a specific document's title, such as the UN Charter or the Magna Carta. This sense is typically followed by 'of' (charter of rights, charter of the city).
常見錯誤
2. the act of renting a vehicle — such as a boat, bus, or plane — for a specific pu
the act of renting a vehicle — such as a boat, bus, or plane — for a specific purpose rather than as part of a regular public service.
The travel agency arranged a charter for the group of fifty students visiting Japan.
A boat charter lets you explore coastal islands at your own pace.
collocation: boat charter / yacht charter / bus charter
The company offers yacht charters for weddings and corporate events along the coast.
The county sports association paid for a bus charter to take the volleyball team to the regional competition.
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the concept or activity ('available for charter', 'by charter'), but countable when referring to a specific arrangement ('a yacht charter', 'bus charters').
常見錯誤
charter — verb
- charterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- charters3rd person singular
- chartering-ing form
- charteredpast simple
1. to pay for the use of a plane, boat, or bus for a specific trip or purpose, rath
to pay for the use of a plane, boat, or bus for a specific trip or purpose, rather than buying a ticket on a regular public service.
The university chartered a plane to fly the basketball team to the national tournament.
collocation: charter a plane / charter a bus / charter a boat
Leila's club chartered a small boat for a weekend fishing trip on the lake.
The hospital chartered a helicopter to transfer the patient to a specialist trauma centre.
Yusuf chartered a minibus instead of taking the train, since it was cheaper for the group.
文法句型
charter + noun phrase (vehicle type)
用法筆記
The object is almost always a type of vehicle (plane, helicopter, boat, bus, minibus). Unlike the general verb 'rent', charter specifically implies an arrangement for a particular trip or purpose made by a group or organisation.
常見錯誤
2. to officially establish a new organization, such as a university, bank, or local
to officially establish a new organization, such as a university, bank, or local branch, by granting it a formal written charter.
The government chartered a new university in the north to improve access to higher education.
The bank was chartered in 1901 and has served the local community ever since.
passive: was chartered + time reference
The state chartered several new community colleges to meet the growing demand for skilled workers.
Local leaders petitioned the governor to charter a public hospital in the rural county.
- establish
more general — does not require a charter document
- found
emphasises the creation of an institution, not the legal granting of a charter
- incorporate
narrower — specifically refers to forming a legal corporation
- license
grants permission to operate, but does not create the institution itself
文法句型
charter + noun phrase (organization)
frequently passive: be chartered + by + authority
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice. The subject is typically a government, state, or recognised authority. The object is an institution — a university, college, bank, corporation, or hospital. This is a formal sense found mainly in official and historical contexts.
常見錯誤
charter — adjective
- charterpositive
- charterercomparative
- charterestsuperlative
1. describing a type of transport booking where a bus, plane, or boat is hired for
describing a type of transport booking where a bus, plane, or boat is hired for use by a specific group, rather than being available to the general public through a regular timetable.
The school hired a charter bus for a field trip to the science museum.
collocation: charter bus / charter flight / charter boat
Charter flights are often cheaper than regular airline tickets during the holiday season.
We booked a charter boat to take us snorkelling around the coral reef.
The tour company offers charter services for large corporate groups attending conferences abroad.
A charter plane arrived early in the morning to pick up the mountain rescue team.
- scheduled
regular public transport that runs on a timetable, not hired for a specific group
文法句型
attributive use only — before a noun
用法筆記
Used only attributively — always before a noun (charter bus, charter flight, charter boat). Do not use predicatively ('The bus is charter' ✗). This adjective is derived from the verb sense of hiring a vehicle.