patent

/pˈeɪtənt/

/ˈpætənt/

Patent

a formal document that gives someone the right to be the only one who makes, uses, or sells an invention or product for a limited amount of time

an official document granting a right or privilege

to patent

MAIN VERB

obtain a patent for

make open to sight or notice

grant rights to; grant a patent for

patent

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

synonyms : apparent

(of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage

Examples

1. Drug companies are locking horns in a legal battle over patents.

2. He was utterly amazed to learn that his invention had been patented.

3. The inventor who sold their patent for a large sum of money also had to give up the right to profit from the invention in the future.

4. Basically, patents are limiting the supply of these incredibly vital COVID-19 vaccines.