Definitions

1. noun

A grant of land given by a colonial government to an immigrant in exchange for his or her transportation costs to the colony.

“The headright system played a significant role in the colonization of Virginia, as it incentivized immigrants to travel to the New World.”

2. noun

The amount of land granted to an individual as a headright.

“After calculating the headright, the surveyor was able to divide the land among the settlers.”