noun
Common
articles
AH-tih-kuhlz
Articles (noun) means a formal legal or contractual document setting out specific terms, often used of training agreements. Example: “She signed her articles with the law firm straight after graduating.”
noun
1
A formal legal or contractual document setting out specific terms, often used of training agreements.
"She signed her articles with the law firm straight after graduating."
"He is still serving his articles at a small firm of solicitors."
"After her articles ended, she qualified as a solicitor."
How to use articles
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe plural of "article" — often used for a formal document of terms, especially in law or apprenticeships.
Common pairings
articles of apprenticeship
serve articles
articles of association
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for articles
See all rhymes for articles →Frequently asked questions
What does “articles” mean?
The word “articles” means a formal legal or contractual document setting out specific terms, often used of training agreements. In plain terms, the plural of "article" — often used for a formal document of terms, especially in law or apprenticeships.
How do you pronounce “articles”?
“Articles” is pronounced AH-tih-kuhlz (/ˈɑɹtɪkəlz/ in IPA).
How do you use “articles” in a sentence?
Here is “articles” used in a sentence: “She signed her articles with the law firm straight after graduating.”
What part of speech is “articles”?
“Articles” is a noun.
Is “articles” a common word?
“Articles” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What are articles in a legal or contractual sense?
Articles are the separate, numbered clauses of a formal document, or the document itself made up of such terms. Familiar examples include articles of association, which govern a company, and articles of agreement. Each article sets out a specific term, condition, or rule that the parties agree to be bound by.
What does it mean to be 'under articles'?
Being under articles means working under a formal training agreement that binds you to an employer for a fixed period while you qualify. The historic term 'articled clerk' described a trainee solicitor or accountant bound this way. The articles set out the duties, length, and terms of that apprenticeship.
What is the difference between articles and a contract?
A contract is any binding agreement between parties. Articles are a particular form of it — a document, or set of clauses within one, that lays out specific terms, often for membership, association, or training. All articles are contractual in nature, but 'articles' names the structured, clause-by-clause format.
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