patent

//ˈpæt.ənt/ or /ˈpeɪ.tənt//
C1Frequency Level 8Formal
Visual representation of patent

Noun

patentSingular
patentsPlural
1

A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.

The company filed a patent for their new invention.

2

An official document granting such a right or title.

The inventor received the patent document from the patent office.

Verb

patentInfinitive
patentPresent tense
patentedPast tense
patentedPast participle
patentingPresent participle
patentsThird-person singular
1

To obtain a patent for an invention.

The company patented their new technology last year.

Synonym

Adjective

patentCanonical form
1

Obvious; plain; evident; clear.

The errors in the report were patent to everyone.

2

Open to public inspection; unconcealed.

His patent disregard for the rules was obvious to everyone.