charter

charter — noun

IPA/ˈtʃɑːtə(r)/
KK[tʃˈɑrtɚ]IPA/ˈtʃɑːrtər/
  • chartersingular
  • chartersplural

1. a written document that formally states the basic rights, aims, or principles of

1.nounB2
Definition

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.

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • grant a charter
  • draw up a charter
  • sign a charter
  • update a charter
  • city charter
  • royal charter
  • UN Charter
  • charter of rights
Synonyms
  • 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

Usage Note

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).

Common Mistakes

The constitution of the club states the membership rules.
The charter of the club states the membership rules.
A charter defines the rights and aims of an organisation; a constitution is the supreme legal framework of a country.

2. the act of renting a vehicle — such as a boat, bus, or plane — for a specific pu

2.nounB2
Definition

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.

Example

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

Common collocations
  • available for charter
  • by charter
  • boat charter
  • yacht charter
  • bus charter
  • plane charter
  • arrange a charter
Synonyms
  • hire

    more general — can apply to equipment or services, not just vehicles

  • rental

    emphasises the payment aspect rather than the exclusive-use arrangement

  • lease

    typically for a longer period and involves a formal contract

Usage Note

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').

Common Mistakes

We took a charter to work every morning.
We took a charter bus to the conference.
Charter as a noun usually refers to the rental arrangement, not to a regular commuter service.

charter — verb

IPA/ˈtʃɑː.tər/
KK[tʃˈɑrtɚ]IPA/ˈtʃɑːr.t̬ɚ/

charter — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A charter is a formal document that establishes the rights, aims, or principles of an organisation or group. It is less foundational than a constitution, which is the supreme legal framework of a country or state. A treaty is an agreement between sovereign states, whereas a charter typically defines the relationship between an authority and the people or institutions under its power. A covenant carries a more solemn, often religious, tone of mutual promise. Articles of incorporation are a narrower legal instrument that creates a corporation. A bill of rights focuses exclusively on individual freedoms, while a charter may include rights alongside organisational aims and governance rules. For example, the UN Charter functions like a treaty in setting the purposes of the United Nations, while a city charter defines the structure and powers of a municipal government.

constitution ↗treaty ↗covenant ↗articles of incorporationbill of rights

Common collocations

Nouns

  • charter member
  • charter school
  • charter flight
  • charter bus
  • charter boat
  • charter company
  • charter service

Adverbs

  • newly chartered
  • recently chartered
  • officially chartered

Phrases

  • by charter
  • under charter
  • available for charter
  • charter of rights

Prepositions

  • charter for (a group/event)
  • charter by (an authority)
  • charter from (an agency)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'charter' entered English from Old French 'charte', meaning a formal document or letter, which in turn came from Latin 'chartula', a diminutive of 'charta' (paper, leaf of papyrus). The original sense was a written document or deed. By the medieval period it had come to refer specifically to a document granting rights or privileges from a sovereign or authority. The verb sense 'to hire a vehicle' developed in the 18th–19th centuries from the practice of drawing up a written contract (a charter party) for the hire of a ship.