Piracy: meaning, definitions and examples

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piracy

 

[ ˈpaɪrəsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

online

The unauthorized use or reproduction of someone else's work, typically for financial gain.

Synonyms

copyright infringement, intellectual property theft

Examples of usage

  • Online piracy has become a major issue for the entertainment industry.
  • The website was shut down for hosting pirated content.
Context #2 | Noun

historical

Robbery or illegal violence at sea.

Synonyms

marauding, plundering

Examples of usage

  • Piracy was a common threat to sailors in the 17th century.
  • The pirates attacked the merchant ship and stole its cargo.
Context #3 | Noun

general

The practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea.

Synonyms

pirate attacks, sea robbery

Examples of usage

  • The navy was sent to combat piracy in the region.
  • Piracy has been a problem in international waters.

Translations

Translations of the word "piracy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pirataria

🇮🇳 समुद्री डकैती

🇩🇪 Piraterie

🇮🇩 pembajakan

🇺🇦 піратство

🇵🇱 piractwo

🇯🇵 海賊行為 (kaizoku kōi)

🇫🇷 piraterie

🇪🇸 piratería

🇹🇷 korsanlık

🇰🇷 해적 행위 (haejeok haengwi)

🇸🇦 القرصنة

🇨🇿 pirátství

🇸🇰 pirátstvo

🇨🇳 海盗行为 (hǎidào xíngwéi)

🇸🇮 piratstvo

🇮🇸 sjórán

🇰🇿 қарақшылық

🇬🇪 მეკობრეობა

🇦🇿 quldurluq

🇲🇽 piratería

Etymology

The word 'piracy' originated from the Greek word 'peiratēs', which means 'one who attacks'. Piracy has a long history dating back to ancient times, with pirates known for their plundering and looting of ships at sea. In the modern context, piracy refers to the unauthorized use or reproduction of someone else's work, particularly in the digital age where online piracy is a major concern for the entertainment industry.

See also: pirated, pirating.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,565, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.