piracy
Americannoun
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practice of a pirate; robbery or illegal violence at sea.
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the unauthorized reproduction or use of a copyrighted book, recording, television program, patented invention, trademarked product, etc..
The record industry is beset with piracy.
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Also called stream capture. Geology. diversion of the upper part of one stream by the headward growth of another.
noun
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robbery on the seas within admiralty jurisdiction
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a felony, such as robbery or hijacking, committed aboard a ship or aircraft
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the unauthorized use or appropriation of patented or copyrighted material, ideas, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of piracy
1545–55; earlier pyracie < Medieval Latin pīrātīa < Late Greek peirāteía. See pirate, -acy
Explanation
Piracy is a what pirates do: they steal stuff. If you plagiarize by stealing someone's words or ideas that’s piracy. Argh! The original sense of piracy comes from pirates — thieves who hijack other boats, taking what they please. That should help you remember that piracy means to steal someone else's work, usually their words or ideas. A writer who doesn't cite their sources is committing piracy. Piracy is plagiarism, and it is legally and morally wrong.
Vocabulary lists containing piracy
Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation
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Born a Crime
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 11
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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.
During the mid-14th century, Islamic piracy expanded along the Valencian coastline, while increasing militarization created growing demand for protective equipment and weapons.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
Judge Paul Thomas noted that while Barrow was engaged in the online piracy he had a "steady income" working for the postal service, and said it was clear the defendant's motivation was simply "pure greed".
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
To sustain the global economy, we must ensure that the “sound dues” of the 21st century—instability, piracy, and conflict—aren’t the price of doing business.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
The private security forces that some shippers engage today to prevent piracy could do the work of privateers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
“You’d better not be lying to me, boy. I don’t fancy a life of piracy, so you’d better damn well be right.”
From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi
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.
