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
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.
"Actions like this will continue as part of our ongoing fight against the damage caused by illegal streaming and other forms of piracy."
From BBC • May 23, 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
That became a problem for Chinese shippers around 2010 when Somali piracy was on an upswing, so Beijing permitted the creation of private firms according to strict guidelines, Heath said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026
There are a multitude of crises in Somalia that could also be pushing people to piracy.
From Barron's • May 4, 2026
Apple decided to intercede in the software piracy case. irresistible.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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.
