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.
(often cap.) a document defining the formal organization of a corporate body; constitution: the Charter of the United Nations.
authorization from a central or parent organization to establish a new branch, chapter, etc.
a grant by a sovereign power creating a corporation, as the royal charters granted to British colonies in America.
Also calleda contract by which part or all of a ship is leased for a voyage or a stated time.
a tour, vacation, or trip by charter arrangement: The travel agency is offering charters to Europe and the Caribbean.
special privilege or immunity.
—v.t.
to establish by charter: to charter a bank.
to lease or hire for exclusive use: The company will charter six buses for the picnic.
to give special favor or privilege to.
—adj.
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.
that can be leased or hired for exclusive or private use: a charter boat for deep-sea fishing.
done or held in accordance with a charter: a charter school.