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
Spring is blooming Flowers are blooming just in time for National Walk to Work Day (April 5) (Credit: US Army photo, Rachel Larue, public domain, via Flickr Creative Commons).
—
Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The previous owner would retain the rights to Life’s photography and content going back to the 1930s, as public domain laws dictate.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for public domain 
Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The previous owner would retain the rights to Life’s photography and content going back to the 1930s, as public domain laws dictate.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for public domain
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.
Articles Related to public domain
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 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share