Dictionary![]() ![]() char•terPronunciation: (chär'tur), [key] —n. 1. a document, issued by a sovereign or state, outlining the conditions under which a corporation, colony, city, or other corporate body is organized, and defining its rights and privileges. 2. (often cap.) a document defining the formal organization of a corporate body; constitution: the Charter of the United Nations. 3. authorization from a central or parent organization to establish a new branch, chapter, etc. 4. a grant by a sovereign power creating a corporation, as the royal charters granted to British colonies in America. 5. Also called charter party. a contract by which part or all of a ship is leased for a voyage or a stated time. 6. a tour, vacation, or trip by charter arrangement: The travel agency is offering charters to Europe and the Caribbean. 7. special privilege or immunity. —v.t. 1. to establish by charter: to charter a bank. 2. to lease or hire for exclusive use: The company will charter six buses for the picnic. 3. to give special favor or privilege to. —adj. 1. of or pertaining to a method of travel in which the transportation is specially leased or hired for members of a group or association: a charter flight to Europe. 2. that can be leased or hired for exclusive or private use: a charter boat for deep-sea fishing. 3. done or held in accordance with a charter: a charter school. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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