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

Economists disagree about why housing is so expensive, but many view shortages in the housing supply or corporate ownership of the housing stock as the greatest contributing factors. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024

This includes the aforementioned proof of employment or business ownership, financial statements showing proof of income, proof of health insurance coverage that specifically covers any medical costs in Spain, and a criminal background check. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024

Two weeks ago, the couple moved in, and they are getting used to the joys of home ownership. —Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

Mass casualty events are rare in Australia and gun ownership was strictly controlled following the 1996 Port Arthur mass shooting when a lone gunman killed 35 people. —Helen Regan, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

Such ownership has typically been the province of elderly billionaires who self-fund America’s Cup and other entries more for yacht-club bragging rights than for profit. —Gw Allen, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2024

Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Richelieu Dennis founder of Essence Ventures, the Sundial Group of Companies and the New Voices Fund, emphatically shared the importance of Black and Brown communities taking ownership literally, and figuratively. —Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024

McDonald’s is buying the franchise that sparked global boycotts by offering free meals to Israeli forces shortly after the start of the Israel-Gaza war, taking ownership of its 225 stores. —Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Prince even dropped his long-standing grudge against record labels and let Columbia distribute and help market the LP, declining an advance but maintaining full ownership of the LP. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 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