fee simple

American  

noun

1. fee4a

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fee simple British  

noun

1. property law an absolute interest in land over which the holder has complete freedom of disposition during his life Compare fee tail

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Etymology

Origin of fee simple

1425–75; late Middle English < Anglo-French

Example Sentences

“Rather, the Court directed the Province of B.C. to negotiate with the Cowichan Nation to reconcile their Aboriginal title with the existing fee simple interests.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Deeb notes that your father and his wife cannot prevent the sale of the home if you have a fee simple title, which gives you full ownership of the land and property.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2023

“The big thing is they can buy fee simple land,” said Choi, referring to private ownership.

From BusinessWeek • Jun. 13, 2011

It astounded him, he added, that the Government had not long since asked for possession in fee simple of these bases, as a token of appreciation for what the U.S. has given Britain under Lend-Lease.

From Time Magazine Archive

At majority they were to share and share alike in fee simple.

From The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. II. (of II) With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England by Conway, Moncure Daniel