Ownership: meaning, definitions and examples

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ownership

 

[ ˈəʊnərʃɪp ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal

The act, state, or right of possessing something.

Synonyms

control, possession, property.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ownership

Used when indicating legal rights over something, especially in a formal or official capacity.

  • He took pride in the ownership of his first home.
  • Proof of ownership is required to sell the car.
possession

Used to refer to having or holding something physically, often in a personal and immediate sense.

  • He found an old coin in his possession.
  • The athlete took possession of the ball and scored.
property

Used to indicate something owned, particularly land or buildings, often in a legal and financial context.

  • They invested in property to secure their future.
  • The property was valued at a high price.
control

Used when referring to the power to manage, direct, or oversee something, often with a focus on authority and influence.

  • She has complete control over the project's development.
  • The company maintained strict control over its brand image.

Examples of usage

  • The ownership of the property was disputed in court.
  • She has a 50% ownership stake in the company.
Context #2 | Noun

business

The state or fact of being an owner; the right to possess, use, and dispose of something.

Synonyms

ownership control, ownership interest, ownership rights.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ownership

Generally refers to the state of having full legal rights and control over something, such as property or a business.

  • She claimed ownership of the car after purchasing it from the dealer.
  • The document verified his ownership of the house.

Examples of usage

  • The ownership of the business was transferred to his son.
  • They are seeking a new ownership structure for the company.
Context #3 | Noun

general

The act of owning or possessing something.

Synonyms

having, holding, possession.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ownership

Use this word when referring to the legal right or state of owning something, such as property or a business. It often implies responsibility and control.

  • She took full ownership of the company's successes and failures.
  • The car's ownership was transferred to him after the sale.
having

This word is used in casual or everyday speech to indicate that someone possesses or contains something. It's very general and can apply to both tangible and intangible things.

  • I am having a great time at the party.
  • She is having a lot of difficulties with her homework.
holding

Use this word when describing someone physically grasping something, or when referring to temporary possession or control, often for a specific purpose or during an event.

  • He was holding a cup of coffee.
  • The company is holding a meeting next week.
possession

This word can describe both the state of having something and the physical items themselves, often emphasizing control or ownership. It can sometimes have a slightly formal or legal connotation.

  • The old mansion has been in their possession for generations.
  • She was charged with possession of illegal substances.

Examples of usage

  • His ownership of the painting brought him great joy.
  • There is a sense of pride in home ownership.

Translations

Translations of the word "ownership" in other languages:

🇵🇹 propriedade

🇮🇳 स्वामित्व (svāmitva)

🇩🇪 Eigentum

🇮🇩 kepemilikan

🇺🇦 власність

🇵🇱 własność

🇯🇵 所有権 (shoyūken)

🇫🇷 propriété

🇪🇸 propiedad

🇹🇷 mülkiyet

🇰🇷 소유권 (soyu-gwon)

🇸🇦 ملكية (milkīyah)

🇨🇿 vlastnictví

🇸🇰 vlastníctvo

🇨🇳 所有权 (suǒyǒuquán)

🇸🇮 lastništvo

🇮🇸 eign

🇰🇿 меншік

🇬🇪 საკუთრება (sak'ut'reba)

🇦🇿 mülkiyyət

🇲🇽 propiedad

Etymology

The word 'ownership' originated from the combination of 'own' and 'ship', where 'own' dates back to the Old English word 'āgen', meaning 'possess, have; rule over, be lord of', and 'ship' is a suffix that forms nouns denoting state, condition, or relationship. The concept of ownership has evolved over centuries, from feudal systems to modern legal frameworks, shaping the way individuals and societies interact with property and possessions.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,440, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.