the public domain
noun
1
: the state of something that is not owned by a particular person or company and is available for anyone to use
The software has entered the public domain.
The software is in the public domain.
2
US
: land that is owned by the government
The forests are part of the public domain.
Examples of the public domain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2021, the novel entered the public domain, spurring speculation as to whether an onslaught of adaptions would ensue as a result.
—
Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 22 Feb. 2023
Currently the company is only training its AI using game content that is in the public domain.
—WIRED, 17 Feb. 2023
When something falls into the public domain, interesting things can happen.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2023
Last year the copyright protection on British author A.A. Milne’s most famous creations ran out, releasing — or perhaps condemning — them to the public domain.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 16 Feb. 2023
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Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 22 Feb. 2023
Currently the company is only training its AI using game content that is in the public domain.
—WIRED, 17 Feb. 2023
When something falls into the public domain, interesting things can happen.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2023
Last year the copyright protection on British author A.A. Milne’s most famous creations ran out, releasing — or perhaps condemning — them to the public domain.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 16 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“The public domain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20public%20domain. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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