ownership

noun

own·​er·​ship ˈō-nər-ˌship 

1

: the state, relation, or fact of being an owner

2

: a group or organization of owners

Examples of ownership in a Sentence

The company is under private ownership.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Walker, 36, who will retain ownership of the building through a limited liability corporation, is now working with LA4LA to obtain permanent financing. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2024

Related Articles Central Group is keeping its 50 percent stake in Selfridges and currently has ownership of the operating business and its two sites, one on Oxford Street and the other in Manchester. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 22 July 2024

Fremantle initially acquired a 25% stake before increasing to full ownership in 2022. —Peter White, Deadline, 19 July 2024

Our Power, an advocacy group that campaigned for the public utility, disputes CMP’s claims that tighter ownership by Iberdrola will change little, if anything. —Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

owner + -ship

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ownership

• cross-ownership
• home ownership

Legal Definition

ownership

noun

own·​er·​ship

: the state, relation, or fact of being an owner

also : the rights or interests of an owner

— absolute ownership

: ownership especially by a single person that is free of any encumbrances or limitations other than statutory law compare fee simple absolute at fee simple

— ostensible ownership \ ä-​ˈsten-​sə-​bəl-​ \

: ownership that is apparent rather than actual and that sometimes is recognized in cases of purchase of the property by an innocent third party

a dispute arising from the dealer's ostensible ownership and sale of the collateral

Note: A purchaser from a person with ostensible ownership of property may be able to defeat the claim to the property of the actual owner who created the ostensible ownership.

— ownership in indivision

in the civil law of Louisiana : ownership by two or more persons each having undivided shares in the property as a whole compare community property at property

— qualified ownership

: ownership that is limited by time, the interest of another party, or restrictions on the use of the property

had only qualified ownership of the fish and game on his property due to state restrictions