public domain

noun

, Law.

1. the status of a literary work or an invention whose copyright or patent has expired or that never had such protection.
2. land owned by the government.

public domain

noun

1. lands owned by a state or by the federal government
2. the status of a published work or invention upon which the copyright or patent has expired or which has not been patented or subject to copyright. It may thus be freely used by the public
3. in the public domain
   able to be discussed and examined freely by the general public

Other Words From

• public-do·main adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of public domain¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

So, while it is safe to assume Amorim singled out more than one player for a spot of impromptu coaching, the discussion with Mainoo was the one that made it into the public domain.

From BBC

If the details of the case had been limited to those currently in the public domain, it is highly likely that no sanction would have been issued at all.

From BBC

Zara believes other women have been threatened in this way but we have not seen images Photoshopped of her - or other women - shared by him in the public domain.

From BBC

The serious allegations have reached the public domain at a sensitive moment for the ICC.

From BBC

But there was absolutely nothing in the public domain about these allegations.

From BBC