Patent Meaning and Definition
Patent
Pronunciation
/ˈpeɪtnt/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A patent is a government-granted legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention or innovation, in exchange for publicly disclosing the invention.
Examples
- The company patented their new smartphone design.
- The scientist spent years developing a new medical device and finally received a patent for it.
Synonyms
- Invention
- Idea
Antonyms
- Copy
- Plagiarize
Etymology
The word “patent” comes from the Latin “patere,” meaning “to lie open,” and was first used in the 15th century to describe a public declaration or announcement.
Usage Notes
Informal patents are often used to refer to copyrights or trademarks, but technically, a patent is specific to an invention or innovation.
Cultural References
In the popular television series “The Big Bang Theory,” a patent plays a central role in the story of the characters’ invention.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
To hold a patent on something means to claim exclusive rights to it.
Related Words or Phrases
Invention, innovation, copyright, trademark
Collocations
Patent holder, patent application, patent infringement
Frequency of Use
The word “patent” is commonly used in technical and scientific contexts, particularly in the fields of technology and innovation.
Common Misspellings
Paent, Patant, Pattent