Charterer

char·ter  (chärtr)

n.

1. A document issued by a sovereign, legislature, or other authority, creating a public or private corporation, such as a city, college, or bank, and defining its privileges and purposes.

2. A written grant from the sovereign power of a country conferring certain rights and privileges on a person, a corporation, or the people: A royal charter exempted the Massachusetts colony from direct interference by the Crown.

3. A document outlining the principles, functions, and organization of a corporate body; a constitution: the city charter.

4. An authorization from a central organization to establish a local branch or chapter.

5. Special privilege or immunity.

6.

a. A contract for the commercial leasing of a vessel or space on a vessel.

b. The hiring or leasing of an aircraft, vessel, or other vehicle, especially for the exclusive, temporary use of a group of travelers.

7. A written instrument given as evidence of agreement, transfer, or contract; a deed.

adj.

Of, relating to, or being an arrangement in which transportation is leased by a group of travelers for their exclusive, temporary use.

tr.v. char·tered, char·ter·ing, char·ters

1. To grant a charter to; establish by charter.

2. To hire or lease by charter: charter an oil tanker.

3. To hire (a bus or airplane, for example) for the exclusive, temporary use of a group of travelers.

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[Middle English chartre, from Old French, from Latin chartula, diminutive of charta, paper made from papyrus; see card¹.]

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charter·er n.