personal property

noun

, Law.

1. an estate or property consisting of movable articles both corporeal, as furniture or jewelry, or incorporeal, as stocks or bonds ( real property ).

   Synonyms: effects, chattel

personal property

noun

1. See real property
   law movable property, such as furniture or money Also calledpersonalty Compare real property

personal property

1. Furniture, automobiles, boats, and other possessions that are not included in the category of real property .

Word History and Origins

Origin of personal property¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

They allow local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to seize personal property without proving or even charging the owner with a crime.

From Washington Post

The county didn’t worry about the credit because Google categorized very little equipment as personal property, the source said.

From Time

“The lien process does not impact a patient’s personal property and is intended to recoup expenses from settlement proceeds from the negligent party’s insurance company,” he said.

From ProPublica

The Mitchell ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed against Los Angeles by four homeless residents who accused police of “confiscating and then destroying” their personal property without a warrant.

From Vox

Because pets are lawfully viewed as personal property nationwide, those who steal them have relatively little to lose.

From Time

Workers and residents alike search for personal property, landmarks from a barely recognizable neighborhood, and bodies.

From The Daily Beast

The document gave Billings claim to all personal property, bank accounts, and future earnings of the debtor.

From The Daily Beast

Whenever fixtures annexed to real estate retain the character of personal property they may be mortgaged.

From Project Gutenberg

In general, any personal property that may be sold; many of the statutes define it.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, in contracts for the sale of specific personal property, its existence at the time of the sale is generally assumed.

From Project Gutenberg

In the case of personal property a sale may be avoided during his minority by an infant seller or buyer.

From Project Gutenberg

Part payment of the purchase money for personal property is generally regarded as showing such intention.

From Project Gutenberg