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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In return for licensing its intellectual property, OLC pays Disney royalties but not a a share of its profits. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 For an artist with a legacy as impactful as Jay-Z’s, the current anniversary boom feel like the latest phase of a longer project of deciding who gets to turn hip-hop history into intellectual property. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026 To end the endless copying, Anthropic has joined OpenAI in urging the US to view distillation attacks as a form of intellectual property theft. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 Swift’s business influence extends to monopoly-busting and intellectual property, through her battle with Ticketmaster and her Taylor’s Version re-records. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for intellectual property

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of intellectual property was in 1769

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Browse Nearby Words

intellectualness

intellectual property

intellectual virtue

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Intellectual property.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual%20property. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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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

intellectual property

noun

Examples of intellectual property in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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