patent

/ˈpæɾɪnt/

/ˈpeɪtɪnt/

Other forms: patents; patented; patenting

A patent is a government document that proves that an invention is yours and yours alone. In the U.S., as of 2009, over 7,000,000 patents were issued by the Patent and Trademark Office.

Patent also refers to leather that has a very shiny finish. The process for making leather look like this was once patented, but since patents do not last forever, the process is now available for anyone to use. As with patent leather, the word is often used as part of a sales pitch, explaining why something is special: "We use patented technology..." or "Our patented method..."

Definitions of patent

1. noun

   a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
   synonyms: patent of invention

   type of:

   document, papers, written document

   writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
2. noun

   an official document granting a right or privilege
   synonyms: letters patent

   type of:

   instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document

   (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
3. verb

   obtain a patent for
   “Should I patent this invention?”

   type of:

   procure, secure

   get by special effort
4. verb

   grant rights to; grant a patent for
   type of:

   register

   record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions
5. adjective

   (of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage
   “patent ductus arteriosus”

   synonyms:

   unobstructed

   free from impediment or obstruction or hindrance
6. adjective

   clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
   “patent advantages”

   synonyms: apparent, evident, manifest, plain, resounding, unmistakable

   obvious

   easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
7. verb

   make open to sight or notice
   “His behavior has patented an embarrassing fact about him”

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation