noun · verb · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/ɪnˈdɛn.ʃɝ/
Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:IH2 N D EH1 N CH ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A contract which binds a person to work for another, under specified conditions, for a specified time (often as an apprentice).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A contract relating to lending (typically for issuing a bond), a real estate transaction, or a bankruptcy that imposes additional conditions on one or both parties.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A document, written as duplicates separated by indentations, specifying either of the above contracts.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: in-plural, often
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
An indentation; a recess.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To bind a person under such a contract.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To indent; to make hollows, notches, or wrinkles in; to furrow.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Though age may creep on, and indenture the brow.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
the space left between the margin and the start of an indented line
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: indentation, indention, indent
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: space, blank space, place
8
noun
Meaning 8
a contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified term
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: contract
9
noun
Meaning 9
formal agreement between the issuer of bonds and the bondholders as to terms of the debt
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: written agreement
10
noun
Meaning 10
a concave cut into a surface or edge (as in a coastline)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
bind by or as if by indentures, as of an apprentice or servant
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
an indentured servant
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: indent
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: oblige, bind, hold, obligate
History
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman endenture, from Old French endenteure, from endenter (“to dent”). The name of the contract derives from the irregular dent-shaped cut (indentation) used to prove the authenticity of the two parts, similar to a chirograph.
Across languages
Translations
15 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Danish:
kontrakt
— contract
Dutch:
leercontract
— contract
Finnish:
oppisopimus
— contract
Galician:
contrato
— contract
German:
Vertrag
— contract
German:
Ausbildungsvertrag
— contract
German:
Arbeitsvertrag
— contract
German:
Lehrbrief
— contract
German:
Kontrakt
— contract
Norwegian:
lærekontrakt
— contract
Norwegian:
lærlingekontrakt
— contract
Norwegian:
arbeidskontrakt
— contract
Russian:
кабала
(kabala)
— contract
Spanish:
contrato de trabajo no remunerado
— contract