ownership
Americannoun
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the state or fact of being an owner
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legal right of possession; proprietorship
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of ownership
Explanation
Ownership is the state of owning something. Anything that people own or possess gives them the quality of ownership. Wars are often fought over the ownership of land. When you buy a book, you own it. Add the suffix ship to owner, and now you have ownership of that lovely book. If you buy a house, you have ownership of it. Politicians like to talk about the “American dream of home ownership.” If you buy a lottery ticket, you have ownership of that, too. If you win big, you’ll have ownership of lots of cash and then you, too can realize that American dream.
Vocabulary lists containing ownership
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ship
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"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 19
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-ship
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ownership matters, Mason notes, as “Alchemy” will not be tied to a new release or tour and hopefully have a shelf life.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Ownership of more TV stations gives Nexstar increased leverage against traditional power brokers like the national broadcasters—and the ability to save money on network fees by boxing out those brands altogether.
From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026
Ownership and land management of the area is shared between the BNPA, NRW and three local authorities.
From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026
Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership – I’m definitely biased with this gift recommendation, but can you blame me?
From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025
The one on the breakfast bar—The Power of Ownership, or whatever it’s called.
From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
