1. : a written agreement embodying the purposes or other terms and conditions of the association of a number of persons for the prosecution of a joint enterprise ; specifically : a written agreement duly executed and filed so as to have the force of a charter under general incorporation laws
2. : a written agreement that in England under the Companies Act may accompany the memorandum of association of a company with a liability limited by shares, that must accompany that of a company with a liability limited by guarantee or unlimited, and that prescribes the regulations for the government of the company