pirate

1 of 2

noun

pi·​rate ˈpī-rət How to pronounce pirate (audio)
: one who commits or practices piracy
piratical adjective
piratically adverb

pirate

2 of 2

verb

pirated; pirating

transitive verb

1
: to commit piracy on
2
: to take or appropriate by piracy: such as
a
: to reproduce without authorization especially in infringement of copyright
b
: to lure away from another employer by offers of betterment

intransitive verb

: to commit or practice piracy

Examples of pirate in a Sentence

Noun the famous pirate Jean Lafitte A software pirate made bootleg copies of the computer program. Verb He was accused of pirating their invention. using pirated software that was subject to copyright
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This small doohickey works with Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, an exclusive Prime member benefit that protects your packages from porch pirates and increment weather. Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024 Zoom out: Also beware of virtual porch pirates, as one in five delivery package scam attempts starts via text message or messaging apps like WhatsApp or iMessage. Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
In the 1990s, when the state purchased a package of satellite television channels and transmitted it from Hotel Habana Libre to surrounding hotels, technicians pirated the signal through makeshift antennas. Laura-Zoë Humphreys and Daymar Valdés Frigola / Made By History, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024 Both men shared and interacted with social media content pirated from theaters over opening weekend –- many of which featured ecstatic crowds reacting to cameos from Channing Tatum, Wesley Snipes and Jennifer Garner. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pirate 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, from peiran to attempt — more at fear

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1577, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pirate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pirate

Cite this Entry

“Pirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pirate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pirate

1 of 2 noun
pi·​rate ˈpī-rət How to pronounce pirate (audio)
: a person who commits piracy
piratical adjective
piratically adverb

pirate

2 of 2 verb
pirated; pirating
: to take by piracy
pirate an invention

Legal Definition

pirate

1 of 2 noun
pi·​rate ˈpī-rət How to pronounce pirate (audio)
: a person who commits piracy

pirate

2 of 2 verb
pirated; pirating

transitive verb

: to take or appropriate by piracy
especially : to copy, distribute, or use without authorization especially in infringement of copyright
the pirated software
pirating cable signals

intransitive verb

: to commit piracy compare bootleg

More from Merriam-Webster on pirate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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