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

I can only guess that I would be among those who question its merits once it enters the public domain.

From The Daily Beast

The reason for this was that if it got into the public domain, it would be disastrous.

From The Daily Beast

The email was never intended to be in the public domain, but its contents have leaked and are devastating.

From The Daily Beast

And they know the contents of these rough exchanges will soon spill into the public domain.

From The Daily Beast

By press time, however, these messages had been blocked from the public domain.

From The Daily Beast

How wonderful the development of the Pacific and Rocky Mountain sections of the public domain!

From Project Gutenberg

The transcriber created the cover image, and hereby releases it to the public domain.

From Project Gutenberg

There are many others who believe in the continued Federal control of the public domain and its resources.

From Project Gutenberg

The forage and water resources of the public domain have been subject to similar abuse.

From Project Gutenberg

The public domain, encroached upon by usurpations or by the colonies of Sylla, had almost disappeared.

From Project Gutenberg