charter colony

noun, American History
1.
a colony, as Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island, chartered to an individual, trading company, etc., by the British crown.
Compare royal colony (def 2).
Origin
1760-70
British Dictionary definitions for charter colony

charter colony

noun
1.
(US, history) a colony, such as Virginia or Massachusetts, created by royal charter under the control of an individual, trading company, etc, and exempt from interference by the Crown
Contemporary definitions for charter colony
noun

in US history, a colony started by an individual trading company which had a Royal Charter with the British crown

Examples

Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island were all charter colonies.