property

noun

Save Word

prop·er·ty | \ ˈprä-pər-tē

plural properties

Definition of property

1a : a quality or trait belonging and especially peculiar to an individual or thing

b : an effect that an object has on another object or on the senses

c : virtue sense 2

d : an attribute common to all members of a class

2a : something owned or possessed specifically : a piece of real estate

b : the exclusive right to possess, enjoy, and dispose of a thing : ownership

c : something to which a person or business has a legal title

d : one (such as a performer) who is under contract and whose work is especially valuable

e : a book or script purchased for publication or production

3 : an article or object used in a play or motion picture except painted scenery and costumes

Other Words from property Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about property

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for property

quality, property, character, attribute mean an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified. quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic. material with a silky quality property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species. the property of not conducting heat character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class. remarks of an unseemly character attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being. the attributes of a military hero

Examples of property in a Sentence

We are not responsible for the loss of personal property. He was trying to sell stolen property. He was caught trespassing on private property. She owns all sorts of property around town. The students were caught smoking on school property. He owns several valuable properties in the area. a developer of commercial properties One of the properties of helium is its lightness. A unique property of garlic is its strong odor. The two plants have similar physical properties.

Recent Examples on the Web The property, which has been in the clients' family since 1880, was actually a hangout spot for the Ford siblings as kids—the grounds boasted a mini-golf course and ice cream shop. — Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, "Leanne and Steve Ford Are Returning To HGTV With a Brand New Show Next Month," 6 Jan. 2021 This property has been in the Cox family since 1939, but the current owners built an entirely new house in 1997. — Dallas News, "Got $12 million (or more) to spare? Take another look at the 7 most expensive Posh Properties of 2020," 31 Dec. 2020 The property is an architectural dream — or nightmare — an 1893 mansion that was later enclosed by a 1947 addition. — Phil Vettel, chicagotribune.com, "Lawry’s the Prime Rib’s final days: Take-home, tours, tchotchkes on sale," 28 Dec. 2020 Carr and Jackson said the property was once residential, and that no one can recall burials occurring there dating back before the 1950s. — al, "Search in Africatown: Researchers to look for graves of former slaves and descendants from the Clotilda," 28 Dec. 2020 The property is in an active watershed full of native birds, wild bee populations, and other beneficial insects, and native frogs, and which need protection from anything toxic. — oregonlive, "Careful winter pruning may help avoid disturbing early nesting hummingbirds: Ask an expert," 26 Dec. 2020 The property is likely worth between $2 million and $4 million depending on its use, Seamans said. — Erin Adler, Star Tribune, "American Legion frustrated by Richfield's moratorium on development," 24 Dec. 2020 Last year's purchase agreement allowed the city to back out of the deal if that work determined the property wasn’t suitable for building. — Andrew Canulette, NOLA.com, "Slidell backs out of deal to buy 400 acres planned for recreation space," 23 Dec. 2020 The property had been a working farm for more than a century, but in recent years was largely idle. — Don Stacom, courant.com, "Solar panels likely to cover 60% of historic Bristol farmland next year. The panels are expected to power the equivalent of 733 homes," 12 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'property.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about property

Dictionary Entries near property

property damage insurance

property-increment tax

Statistics for property

Last Updated

12 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Property.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/property. Accessed 15 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for property

property

noun

English Language Learners Definition of property

: something that is owned by a person, business, etc.

: a piece of land often with buildings on it that is owned by a person, business, etc.

somewhat formal : a special quality or characteristic of something

See the full definition for property in the English Language Learners Dictionary

property

noun

prop·er·ty | \ ˈprä-pər-tē

plural properties

Kids Definition of property

1 : something (as land or money) that is owned That car is my property.

2 : a special quality of a thing Sweetness is a property of sugar.

property

noun

prop·er·ty

plural properties

Legal Definition of property

1 : something (as an interest, money, or land) that is owned or possessed — see also asset, estate, interest sense 1, possession sense 1e

— abandoned property

: property to which the owner has relinquished all rights

Note: When property is abandoned, the owner gives up the reasonable expectation of privacy concerning it. The finder of abandoned property is entitled to keep it, and a police officer may take possession of abandoned property as evidence without violating the guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

— after-acquired property

1 : property (as proceeds) that a debtor acquires after the commencement of a bankruptcy case and that is usually considered part of the bankruptcy estate

2 : property acquired after the perfection of a lien or security interest especially : such property acquired after the creation of a lien or security interest that is subject to the lien or becomes collateral for the security interest

3 : property transferred to the estate of a decedent after execution of the will

— common property

: property owned or used by more than one party specifically : property owned or leased by tenants in common — compare tenancy in common at tenancy

— community property

: property held jointly by husband and wife specifically : property especially from employment acquired by either spouse after marriage that is deemed in states having a community property system to belong to both spouses as undivided one-half interests — compare joint tenancy and tenancy by the entirety at tenancy — ownership in indivision at ownership

Note: The states having community property laws are Louisiana, Arizona, California, Texas, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

— immovable property

: real property in this entry specifically, in the civil law of Louisiana : tracts of land with their component parts

— intangible property

: property (as a stock certificate or professional license) that derives value not from its intrinsic physical nature but from what it represents

— intellectual property \ ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wəl- \

: property that derives from the work of the mind or intellect specifically : an idea, invention, trade secret, process, program, data, formula, patent, copyright, or trademark or application, right, or registration relating thereto

— lost property

: property that has been left in an unknown location involuntarily but through no one's fault

Note: The finder of lost property has title to the property against all the world except the true owner.

— marital property

: property acquired by either spouse during the course of a marriage that is subject to division upon divorce — see also antenuptial agreement

Note: In most states, upon divorce marital property is divided according to what the court determines is equitable.

— movable property

: property (as personal property or crops) that can be moved

— personal property

1 : property (as a vehicle) that is movable but not including crops or other resources still attached to land : property other than real property a tax on the personal property of the corporation

2 : property belonging to a particular person

— qualified terminable interest property

: property passing to a surviving spouse that qualifies for the marital deduction if the executor so elects providing that the spouse is entitled to receive income in payments made at least annually for life and that no one has a power to appoint any part of the property to any person other than the surviving spouse — see also QTIP trust at trust

Note: Under federal tax law the property must be included in the gross estate of the surviving spouse at his or her own death, where it is subject to taxation.

— real property

: property consisting of land, buildings, crops, or other resources still attached to or within the land or improvements or fixtures permanently attached to the land or a structure on it also : an interest, benefit, right, or privilege in such property

— called also immovable property

— separate property

: property of a spouse that is not community property or marital property especially : property acquired by a spouse before marriage or individually during marriage (as by gift or often by inheritance)

— tangible property

: property that has a tangible and corporeal existence and intrinsic economic value because of it the insurance policy restricted property damage coverage to tangible property — compare intangible property in this entry

2 : one or more rights of ownership

Keep scrolling for more