Magna Carta

noun

Mag·​na Car·​ta ˈmag-nə-ˈkär-tə 

variants or less commonly Magna Charta

1

: a charter of liberties to which the English barons forced King John to give his assent in June 1215 at Runnymede

2

: a document constituting a fundamental guarantee of rights and privileges

Examples of Magna Carta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The idea of academic freedom is older than the Magna Carta, classical liberalism, and modern declarations of rights. —Bradford Vivian / Made By History, TIME, 16 Aug. 2024

This morning, the pair entered London’s British Library and took a chisel and hammer to the Magna Carta’s protective glass. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2024

Its thrilling finale consists of Robin forcing King John to seal the Magna Carta. —EW.com, 9 July 2024

In a very real sense, Runnymede, the Magna Carta and what happened in 1215 laid the foundation for the type of government that would later be created in the United States. —James Coffin, Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, literally, great charter

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

Magna Carta

noun

Mag·​na Car·​ta

variants or Magna Charta

ˈmag-nə-ˈkär-tə 

: a charter of liberties signed under duress by King John of England in 1215 that influenced the development of many important modern legal and constitutional principles (as due process)

Etymology

Medieval Latin, literally, great charter