charter
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a formal document from a government or ruler that gives a city, university, or company certain rights.
n.a formal document issued by a sovereign or state authority, creating a public or private corporation and defining its privileges and purposes.
Simple“The university was founded under a royal charter granted in the nineteenth century.”
In context“The city council argued that the proposed state law violated the municipal charter established during the town's incorporation.”
UsageOften used with 'royal' or 'municipal' to describe the founding documents of old institutions.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of hiring a private plane, boat, or bus for a specific group or purpose.
n.the commercial leasing or hiring of a vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for a specific journey or period.
Simple“The football team took a private charter to the championship game.”
In context“The company arranged a yacht charter for the executive retreat, ensuring complete privacy during their coastal tour.”
UsageCommonly used as a noun adjunct, as in 'charter flight' or 'charter boat'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a rule or situation that makes it easy for people to do something bad or unwanted.
n.a provision or set of circumstances whose unintended consequence is to facilitate or encourage an undesirable activity.
Simple“Critics claimed the new tax law was a charter for criminals to hide their money.”
In context“The opposition leader described the deregulation as a 'cowboy's charter' that would lead to lower safety standards across the industry.”
Teacher's tipThis is a common rhetorical device in British political journalism, often phrased as 'a charter for [bad group/activity]'.
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to pay to use a private plane, boat, or bus for a trip.
v.to lease or hire a vehicle, especially a ship or aircraft, for a specific purpose or journey.
Simple“They decided to charter a small boat to explore the islands.”
In context“The relief agency had to charter several cargo planes to deliver emergency supplies to the remote mountain region.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
adj.describes a plane or bus that is hired for a private group rather than a regular schedule.
adj.referring to a vehicle or service that is leased for a specific trip rather than operating on a fixed public schedule.
Simple“We took a charter flight because it was cheaper than the regular airline.”
In context“The airport has a separate terminal specifically for charter traffic and private executive jets.”
“Over this same period, hundreds of charter schools have opened, which in Michigan operate as independent public school districts and receive state funding similarly to traditional public school districts.”
“Those rights are protected under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
From Middle English charter, chartre, borrowed from Old French chartre, from Latin chartula (diminutive of charta). See chart. Doublet of chartula.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.