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

There were references to Christian faith and the Magna Carta and — drawing one of the many breaks for applause — supportive words on the crucial tenet of checks and balances. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

The King has focused on defining the present through the telescope of the past, reminding his audience of how the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was the legal bedrock for both nations. —Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026

This is the reason why there stands a stone, by the River Thames at Runnymede where Magna Carta was signed in the year 1215. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

This came as Charles was speaking of the English Common Law and the Magna Carta inspiring many of the principles of the American Bill of Rights of 1791. —Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, literally, great charter

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Magna Carta

• charta

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