Charter: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used to refer to a formal agreement or document that outlines the rights, duties, or privileges of an organization, institution, or company. It's commonly used in the context of schools, organizations, or public entities.

• The school received its charter from the state education board.
• The organization operates under a charter that outlines its goals and responsibilities.

Refers to the system of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state, organization, or other entity is governed. It's most often associated with countries or large organizations that require a comprehensive document outlining their key principles.

• The country's constitution guarantees freedom of speech.
• The club's constitution was amended to include more diverse membership rules.

Primarily used in a business or corporate setting to describe a legal document that establishes a corporation and provides details about its structure and purpose. This term is especially relevant when discussing the formation of companies.

• The entrepreneur filed the articles of incorporation to officially start the new business.
• When starting a corporation, it's essential to draft the articles of incorporation.

Typically used when referring to the hiring of an entire aircraft for a specific journey, often by a group or an organization. It can also be used for other types of hired transportation like buses or boats. Chartering usually implies an exclusive, pre-arranged service with a specific destination.

• The company decided to charter a plane to fly all the employees to the conference.
• We plan to charter a boat for our cruise around the islands.

This phrase is less commonly used but generally refers to the act of renting an aircraft for a journey. It is functionally similar to 'charter' but may suggest a more casual or temporary arrangement.

• For the outdoor adventure, they opted for a rented flight to reach the remote location.
• The director organized a rented flight to transport the movie crew to the filming site.

Used when referring to a flight that is not part of a commercial airline schedule and is typically arranged for personal or business use. It emphasizes privacy and convenience, often with enhanced services.

• They booked a private flight to avoid the hassle of commercial travel.
• For their honeymoon, the couple splurged on a private flight to the Bahamas.

Use when talking about renting or leasing a vehicle (usually a boat, bus, or aircraft) for a special purpose or a specific period of time, typically for a group or an organization.

• The school decided to charter a bus for the field trip.
• We plan to charter a yacht for the weekend.

Commonly used in British English for renting a temporary service or goods. It can also mean employing someone for a job. It’s less formal and generally applied to shorter durations.

• We need to hire a car to get around the city.
• The company is looking to hire new employees for the summer.

Typically refers to a long-term rental agreement, often concerning property, land, or vehicles. It's more formal and legally binding compared to 'hire'.

• They decided to lease an apartment instead of buying one.
• Our business leased office space downtown.