plural piracies
1
: an act of robbery on the high seas
also
: an act resembling such robbery
2
: robbery on the high seas
3
a
: the unauthorized use of another's production, invention, or conception especially in infringement of a copyright
b
: the illicit accessing of broadcast signals
Examples of piracy in a Sentence
piracy on the high seas
many countries have harsh penalties for piracy now
Recent Examples on the Web
This led to a slump in streaming subscriptions and a surge in piracy aided by the studios putting their archives of content online.
—
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This is par for the course when a popular movie opens: piracy ensues.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
That type of strategy has also been used in other states, like Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last spring that created harsher penalties for those stealing from retailers or engaging in porch piracy.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 2 Apr. 2025
Three factions, three agendas, one nestled inside the next like a Russian doll: garden-variety Trumpian power-lust and piracy, covering over a deeper plan to radically winnow down the government, covering over a still deeper fever dream of completely immolating the government.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piracy
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Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This is par for the course when a popular movie opens: piracy ensues.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
That type of strategy has also been used in other states, like Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last spring that created harsher penalties for those stealing from retailers or engaging in porch piracy.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 2 Apr. 2025
Three factions, three agendas, one nestled inside the next like a Russian doll: garden-variety Trumpian power-lust and piracy, covering over a deeper plan to radically winnow down the government, covering over a still deeper fever dream of completely immolating the government.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piracy
Cite this Entry
“Piracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piracy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
piracy
noun
pi·ra·cy
ˈpī-rə-sē 
plural piracies
1
: robbery on the high seas
2
: the use of another's production or invention without permission
Legal Definition
piracy
noun
pi·ra·cy
ˈpī-rə-sē
plural piracies
1
: an act of robbery especially on the high seas
specifically
: an illegal act of violence, detention, or plunder committed for private ends by crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft against another ship or aircraft on the high seas or in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state see also air piracy
2
a
: the unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of another's production (as a film) especially in infringement of a copyright
software piracy
b
: the unauthorized use, interception, or receipt of encoded communications (as satellite cable programming) especially to avoid paying fees for use
the statute's purpose is to proscribe the piracy of programming signals—United States v. Harrell, 983 F.2d 36 (1993)
United States v. Harrell, 983 F.2d 36 (1993)3
: the crime of committing piracy
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