public domain

noun

1
: land owned directly by the government
2
: the realm embracing property rights that belong to the community at large, are unprotected by copyright or patent, and are subject to appropriation by anyone

Examples of public domain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The World Wide Web was made public domain only a few months after MOSAIC was released. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 17 May 2023 Winnie-the-Pooh also received the slasher treatment in last year's Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey after the character entered public domain. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 Jan. 2024 Namely, only the 1928 version of the character will become public domain, while later versions remain protected. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 The show’s fondness for the latter is particularly ironic given how many Christians hated Glee — but then again, public domain! Vulture, 19 Dec. 2023 Works published in 1928 were supposed to enter public domain in 2004, but after lobbying efforts by Disney and other copyright holders, Congress passed the 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act and added another 20 years of protections, according to Duke Law. Leo Rocha, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2024 With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024. Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 23 Dec. 2023 Mickey Mouse horror films lurk as cartoon enters public domain. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2024 Steamboat Willie's Mickey Mouse entered public domain on January 1st 2024. Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 2 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'public domain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of public domain was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near public domain

Cite this Entry

“Public domain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20domain. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

public domain

noun
public do·​main
-dō-ˈmān
1
: land owned directly by the government
2
: the realm or status of property rights that belong to the community at large, are unprotected by copyright or patent, and are subject to appropriation by anyone

More from Merriam-Webster on public domain

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