indenture

American  

[in-den-cher] / ɪnˈdɛn tʃər /

noun

1. a deed or agreement executed in two or more copies with edges correspondingly indented as a means of identification.

2. any deed, written contract, or sealed agreement.

3. a contract by which a person, as an apprentice, is bound to service.

4. any official or formal list, certificate, etc., authenticated for use as a voucher or the like.

5. the formal agreement between a group of bondholders and the debtor as to the terms of the debt.

6. indentation.

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verb (used with object)

indentured, indenturing

1. to bind by indenture, as an apprentice.

2. Archaic. to make a depression in; wrinkle; furrow.

indenture British  

/ ɪnˈdɛntʃə /

noun

1. any deed, contract, or sealed agreement between two or more parties

2. (formerly) a deed drawn up in duplicate, each part having correspondingly indented edges for identification and security

3. (often plural) a contract between an apprentice and his master

4. a formal or official list or certificate authenticated for use as a voucher, etc

5. a less common word for indentation

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verb

1. (intr) to enter into an agreement by indenture

2. (tr) to bind (an apprentice, servant, etc) by indenture

3. obsolete (tr) to indent or wrinkle

Other Word Forms

• indentureship noun

Etymology

Origin of indenture

First recorded in 1275–1325; a Middle English word from the Medieval Latin word indentūra; indent ¹, -ure

Explanation

An indenture is a formal legal agreement. Many earned passage to the British colonies by indenturing, or selling, themselves to a master for a period of seven years–-they were called indentured laborers. Indenture can describe what you owe to someone else. If you promised your friend you would take her shopping for a prom dress, you might fulfill your indenture over the course of three trips to the mall. A detention is an indenture of a kind––for your crime, you owe time.

Example Sentences

In a little over a year, my three-decade indenture as a full-time laundress will come to an end.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2024

When Fiji de-criminalized the desertion of indenture contracts in 1916, it is little wonder that hundreds of workers left the colony's sugar plantations.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2023

One of them, John Casar, got a nearby white planter to petition the county to free him from his indenture.

From Washington Post • Apr. 29, 2019

As a result, work itself becomes pay-to-play, and people without money have no choice but to sign indenture contracts.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2018

“Thusly, I have decided that these new costs will be retroactively added to the current outstanding balance on your indenture contract.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray