pirate

[ pahy-ruht ]

noun

1. a person who robs or commits illegal violence at sea or on the shores of the sea.

   Synonyms: plunderer, corsair, buccaneer, freebooter

2. a ship used by such persons.
3. any plunderer, predator, etc.:

   confidence men, slumlords, and other pirates.

4. a person who uses or reproduces the work or invention of another without authorization.
5. Also called pirate stream. Geology. a stream that diverts into its own flow the headwaters of another stream, river, etc.

verb (used with object)

, pi·rat·ed, pi·rat·ing.

1. to commit piracy upon; plunder; rob.
2. to take by piracy:

   to pirate gold.

3. to use or reproduce (a book, an invention, etc.) without authorization or legal right:

   to pirate hit records.

4. to take or entice away for one's own use:

   Our competitor is trying to pirate our best salesman.

verb (used without object)

, pi·rat·ed, pi·rat·ing.

1. to commit or practice piracy.

pirate

/ ˈpaɪrɪt; paɪˈrætɪkəl /

noun

1. a person who commits piracy
2. 1. a vessel used by pirates
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pirate ship

3. a person who illicitly uses or appropriates someone else's literary, artistic, or other work
4. 1. a person or group of people who broadcast illegally
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pirate radio station

verb

1. tr to use, appropriate, or reproduce (artistic work, ideas, etc) illicitly

Derived Forms

• piratical, adjective
• piˈratically, adverb

Other Words From

• pirate·like adjective
• pi·rat·i·cal [pahy-, rat, -i-k, uh, l, pi-], pi·ratic adjective
• pi·rati·cal·ly adverb
• un·pirat·ed adjective
• unpi·rati·cal adjective
• unpi·rati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pirate¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin pīrāta < Greek peirātḗs, equivalent to peirā- , variant stem of peirân to attack + -tēs agent noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of pirate¹

C15: from Latin pīrāta, from Greek peirātēs one who attacks, from peira an attempt, attack

Example Sentences

As consumers are preparing to make their purchases, scammers and porch pirates are at the ready to exploit this holiday shopping event.

From Los Angeles Times

But porch pirates may also be prowling for packages to arrive so they can swipe them.

From Los Angeles Times

In the trailer, the 1,000 contestants are seen lined up in individual boxes, jumping from a helicopter and on board a pirate ship.

From BBC

The books are a pirate’s chest of treasures for kids, whether they’re being read to by adults, or independent readers seeking laughs and adventure.

From Los Angeles Times

By contrast, “Gangplank Galleon,” which accompanies the game’s climactic pirate ship boss fight, begins in the frisky style of an accordion-led sea shanty.

From New York Times

Related Words

• raider