intellectual property

noun

plural intellectual properties

: property (such as a concept, idea, invention, or work) that derives from the effort of the mind or intellect

… Netflix is home to several popular intellectual properties like "Squid Game", "Power Rangers", and the 1980s sci-fi horror hit "Stranger Things".

—Danni Button

also : a right or registration (such as a patent, trademark, trade secret, or copyright) relating to or protecting this property

In a number of cases, tech companies have infringed on the intellectual property of smaller rivals, who have sued in court.

—The Boston Herald

called also IP

Examples of intellectual property in a Sentence

Any song that you write is your intellectual property.

Recent Examples on the Web

And employment contracts routinely assign all intellectual property rights to the employer, automatically, before any invention has a name. —Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026

Her leadership has shaped the firm into a powerhouse, with a litigation team of more than 60 attorneys delivering market-leading successes across complex commercial and business, intellectual property, employment and defamation disputes, among others. —William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

The legislative blueprint outlines a half-dozen guiding principles for lawmakers, focusing on protecting children, preventing electricity costs from surging, respecting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship and educating Americans on using the technology. —Matthew Daly, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026

Watchmakers protect their founding narratives as intellectual property. —Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

intellectual property

noun

: property (as an idea, method, or written work) that derives from the work of the mind

Legal Definition

intellectual property

see also:

property