public domain

noun

1

: land owned directly by the government

2

: the realm embracing property rights that belong to the community at large, are unprotected by copyright or patent, and are subject to appropriation by anyone

Examples of public domain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The images in the experience are largely from NASA’s public domain collection, says Clavio, as the ultimate goal for the space elevator is to pitch it to museums and schools. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

Leppert believes the new public domain database could be used in conjunction with other licensed materials to build artificial intelligence models. —Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024

Technically, the film is pieced together using an intricate collage of public domain footage and audio, with each piece carefully chosen to create a dream-like aesthetic. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

Popeye is the latest iconic public domain character to get a horror movie adaptation. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

public domain

noun

public do·​main

-dō-ˈmān

1

: land owned directly by the government

2

: the realm or status of property rights that belong to the community at large, are unprotected by copyright or patent, and are subject to appropriation by anyone