Patent Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of PATENT

always used before a noun

1

/ˈpætn̩t/ Brit /ˈpeɪtn̩t/

:

of, relating to, or concerned with patents

• a patent law/lawyer
• The company settled a patent dispute last year.
• the licensing of patent rights
• a patent application
• They were sued for patent infringement.
• a patent holder/owner

2

/ˈpeɪtn̩t/

formal

:

obvious or clear

• His explanation turned out to be a patent lie.

• She acted with patent disregard for the rules.

• It is patently obvious that she is overqualified for the job.

Britannica Dictionary definition of PATENT

:

an official document that gives a person or company the right to be the only one that makes or sells a product for a certain period of time

[count]

— often + on

• The company holds the/a patent on the product.
• They want to take out a patent on [=obtain a patent for] the process.

— often + for

• She applied for patents for several of her inventions.

[noncount]

• The product is protected by patent.

Britannica Dictionary definition of PATENT

[+ object]

:

to get a patent for (something)

• They patented their invention.
• The product was patented by its inventor.
• a patented process/drug