noun
- Plural of indentureship; the state, condition, or period of being bound by an indenture, especially as an apprentice or servant.
Usage: Formal and historical; Often refers to labor agreements in colonial America and Britain
Examples
- Many colonists arrived in America through indentureships that bound them to work for several years.
- The indentureships of the 18th century were contracts that specified the terms of labor and housing.
- Young people often entered indentureships to learn a trade while providing labor to their masters.
- Historical records document thousands of indentureships that shaped early American society.
- The conditions of indentureships varied widely depending on the employer and the specific agreement.