• a written grant by the sovereign or legislative power of a country, by which a body such as a city, company, or university is founded or its rights and privileges defined

Synonyms: authority, authorization, sanction, covenant, dispensation, consent, permission, sufferance, permit, licence, warrant, warranty, deed, bond, document, indenture

• the hiring of an aircraft, ship, or motor vehicle for a special purpose

Synonyms: hire, hiring, lease, leasing, rent, rental, renting, booking, reservation, reserving

• grant a charter to (a city, company, university, or other body)

Synonyms: permit, allow, authorize, grant/give a licence to, grant/give a permit to, grant/give authorization to, grant/give authority to, grant/give the right to, grant/give leave to, grant/give permission to

• hire (an aircraft or ship)

Synonyms: hire, lease, rent, pay for the use of, book, reserve