A written agreement between the issuer of debt securities (such as bonds, notes, or debentures) and the trustee for the debt securities acting as a representative of the securityholders that specifies the terms and conditions of the debt securities, including the interest rate, maturity, any redemption terms, timing, and methods of payment, covenants, events of default, and any other specifically negotiated terms and conditions, including the duties of the issuer and the trustee.

For information on the US federal securities laws governing an indenture, see Practice Note, Indenture and Indenture Trustee: Governing Laws.