in·den·ture
in-ˈden-chər 
1
a(1)
: a document or a section of a document that is indented
(2)
: a formal or official document usually executed in two or more copies
(3)
: a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time
—often used in plural
b
: a formal certificate (such as an inventory or voucher) prepared for purposes of control
c
: a document stating the terms under which a security (such as a bond) is issued
3
[indent entry 3]
: dent
indentured; indenturing
in-ˈden-ch(ə-)riŋ
: to bind (someone, such as an apprentice) by or as if by indentures
Synonyms
Examples of indenture in a Sentence
Noun
the dropped hammer left an indenture in the floor
made a small indenture to mark the spot where the plank was to be sawed
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
This smashes every indenture that binds a Negro child other than as a white child should be bound!
—Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023
Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Families that manage to collect the ransom money frequently do so by selling or mortgaging their few possessions, indenturing family members, or worse.
—Bruno Stagno-Ugarte, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2015
See all Example Sentences for indenture 
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Noun
In a little over a year, my three-decade indenture as a full-time laundress will come to an end.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
This smashes every indenture that binds a Negro child other than as a white child should be bound!
—Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023
Verb
Here's why At one point he’s basically indentured to almost comically evil thieves, who force him to crawl through small spaces in the rubble to steal for them.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Families that manage to collect the ransom money frequently do so by selling or mortgaging their few possessions, indenturing family members, or worse.
—Bruno Stagno-Ugarte, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2015
See all Example Sentences for indenture
Dictionary Entries Near indenture
Cite this Entry
“Indenture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indenture. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indenture
1 of 2 noun
in·den·ture
in-ˈden-chər
1
: a written agreement : contract
2
: a contract by which one person is made to work for another for a stated period
—often used in plural
indenture
2 of 2 verb
indentured; indenturing
: to bind by indentures
indenture an apprentice
Legal Definition
indenture
noun
in·den·ture
in-ˈden-chər
1
: a document stating the terms under which a security (as a debenture or other bond) is issued
specifically, in bankruptcy law
: a document (as a mortgage or deed of trust) under which there is outstanding security constituting a claim against a debtor, a claim secured by a lien on any of the debtor's property, or an equity security of the debtor
2
: a deed or other document to which two or more parties (as both grantor and grantee) are bound
Etymology
Noun
Old French endenture an indented document, from endenter to indent (divide a document into sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication), from en- thoroughly + dent tooth
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