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
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.
The Skymaster was largely forgotten, at least in the official and public domain, creating a chasm of silence for the victims’ families. Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025 Around the same time, DiCaprio began developing his own project around the Holmes case without the rights to Larson's book, instead drawing from public domain material with writers Aaron and Matthew Benay. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025 With Stoker’s novel having entered public domain by this time, Herzog changed the lead character’s name to Dracula from the first film’s Count Orlok, who had been brought to life by actor Max Schreck. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2025 The actress recently made her directorial debut as part of Baena's public domain anthology Cinema Toast, which premiered on Showtime in 2021. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for public domain 

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of public domain was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near public domain

Cite this Entry

“Public domain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20domain. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on public domain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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