Synonyms

charter member

American

noun

one of the original members or founders of a club, organization, etc.

charter member British

noun

an original or founder member of a society or organization

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

charter membership noun

Etymology

Origin of charter member

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was only a matter of time before Diogenes, a charter member of the Cynic movement that began in the fourth century B.C., got his turn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Of course, Benmont Tench III is most well-known for being the guy sitting over Tom Petty’s right shoulder as a charter member of the Heartbreakers, rocking away at the Hammond B3 organ.

From Salon • May 27, 2025

Nat King Cole had agreed to be a charter member.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2024

The steal did more than make Acuña the game’s charter member of the 40-70 club.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2023

"I'm already part of this family. I'm like a charter member."

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023