public domain

noun

Law.

1. the status of a literary work or an invention whose copyright or patent has expired or that never had such protection.

2. land owned by the government.

public domain

noun

1. lands owned by a state or by the federal government

2. the status of a published work or invention upon which the copyright or patent has expired or which has not been patented or subject to copyright. It may thus be freely used by the public

3. able to be discussed and examined freely by the general public

Other Word Forms

• public-domain adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of public domain¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

Robinson also said the report largely regurgitated facts already in the public domain, citing the controversy of then-Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the funeral of Bobby Storey.

Read more on BBC

At various stages over the years, some materials have been put into the public domain.

Read more on BBC

South Korea's Supreme Court rejected the case, after the company argued that its version was derived from a folk song in the public domain.

Read more on BBC

"There may also be some issues about law enforcement techniques that the justice department might not want to be out there in the public domain," he added.

Read more on BBC

But if you showed the average Chicagoan the evidence now in the public domain, most would likely surmise that Mr. Homan took a bribe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal