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 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 As Jenkins points out, many of the celebrated classics entering the public domain this year were themselves built atop other public domain works. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 2024 Reimaginings of classic literature, not surprisingly, were big — public domain, baby! Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024 Also, the original version of the character was actually introduced in a novella as 'Anthony Rogers' in 1928; that character has long been public domain as well. Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 26 Dec. 2024 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 18 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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