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patents

  • plural
    of patent.
    patent
    noun
    the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years.
  • present tense form
    of patent (3rd person singular).
    patent
    noun
    the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years.

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.

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When the patents expire for biologic medicines, the “biosimilars” meant to drive down prices typically arrive at modest discounts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The Basel-based group is facing the expiry of patents for a number of its drugs, including Entresto, a flagship treatment for heart failure.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

The patents cover both the scanner design and the image-processing techniques, including the NN developed by Alonso-Monsalve.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

Drs. Michelle Bradbury and Ulrich Wiesner are inventors on patents related to the technology described in this study.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

“I practically built that place! I have credits on nineteen of their patents, you know. You’d think they’d have some respect.”

From "The Fourteenth Goldfish" by Jennifer L. Holm