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Property: meaning, definitions and examples

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property

 

[ˈprɒpəti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

real estate

A piece of real estate that consists of land or buildings

Synonyms

estate, holding, land.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
property

This term is commonly used to refer to anything that is owned, including land, buildings, or other possessions. It is a general term and can be used in both legal and everyday conversations.

  • She decided to invest in property to secure her family's future.
  • The stolen property was recovered by the police.
estate

This word is typically used in the context of large areas of land or significant properties, often associated with wealth or inherited properties. It can also refer to all the assets and liabilities of a deceased person.

  • His family owns a vast estate in the countryside.
  • After his death, the estate was divided among the heirs.
land

This word specifically refers to the earth's surface that is owned or used, often in the context of real estate, agriculture, or nature. It is usually more specific than 'property'.

  • They bought a piece of land to build their dream house.
  • Farmers in the region cultivate their land intensely.
holding

This term is mainly used in financial or legal contexts to refer to assets of any kind, including land, stocks, or other investments that are held by an individual or entity.

  • The company's holdings include several tech startups and real estate.
  • She reviewed her financial holdings before making any decisions.

Examples of usage

  • She inherited a large property from her grandmother.
  • The property includes a house and a garden.
Context #2 | Noun

characteristic

A quality or trait belonging to a person or thing

Synonyms

attribute, characteristic, quality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
property

Use 'property' when referring to a feature that belongs to something or someone, especially in a scientific, technical, or legal context.

  • The magnetic property of this metal makes it unique.
  • One important property of water is its ability to dissolve many substances.
attribute

Use 'attribute' when talking about a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something, often in discussion about personal traits or qualities.

  • Patience is a very valuable attribute for a teacher.
  • Creativity is an attribute often found in successful artists.
quality

Use 'quality' when talking about a feature or characteristic, typically one that is good or desirable, of someone or something.

  • One important quality of a good leader is empathy.
  • The quality of this fabric is outstanding.
characteristic

Use 'characteristic' when referring to a distinguishing feature or quality that is typical of a person, place, or thing.

  • High quality is a characteristic of German engineering.
  • One characteristic of his writing is its humor.

Examples of usage

  • Honesty is a valuable property in a friend.
  • The chemical properties of the substance were analyzed.
Context #3 | Noun

ownership

The right to possess, use, and dispose of something

Synonyms

control, ownership, possession.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
property

Used when referring to something owned by someone, often physical items or real estate.

  • She has a beautiful property by the lake.
  • This piece of land is my property.
ownership

Repeated for completeness. Same as before: used to denote the state or fact of owning something.

  • The new legislation affects property ownership.
  • He took pride in his ownership of the car.
possession

Highlights the state of having something in one's possession, typically used for physical objects.

  • She found his old watch in her possession.
  • Make sure you have your tickets in your possession.
control

Refers to the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

  • He lost control of the car.
  • She likes to have control over every detail.

Examples of usage

  • He has full property of the car.
  • The property of the company was divided among the shareholders.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'proprietas', meaning ownership or someone's personal belongings.
  • In old English, property referred to qualities of a person, which evolved to mean physical possessions over time.
  • The term was first used in the 14th century, shifting its meaning from personal qualities to things owned.

Law

  • Property law governs how ownership and use of property are managed within a society.
  • There are two main types of property: real property (land and buildings) and personal property (movable items).
  • The concept of property rights is crucial for economic development, as it protects individuals’ ownership.

Economics

  • In economics, property is considered an essential factor of production alongside labor and capital.
  • The ownership of property can influence wealth distribution in society and affect power dynamics.
  • Real estate is a significant sector in economies worldwide, often driving investment and development.

Cultural Significance

  • Different cultures have varying views on property, with communal societies often emphasizing shared ownership.
  • In some cultures, property inheritance shapes family structure and wealth distribution across generations.
  • Historical conflicts often arose from disputes over land and property, affecting many civilizations.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers debate the moral implications of ownership, questioning the fairness of property systems.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that property creates inequality and social conflict, while others defend its necessity.
  • The concept of intellectual property emerged with the recognition of creative and innovative ownership rights.

Translations

Translations of the word "property" in other languages:

🇵🇹 propriedade

🇮🇳 संपत्ति

🇩🇪 Eigenschaft

🇮🇩 properti

🇺🇦 властивість

🇵🇱 własność

🇯🇵 特性 (とくせい)

🇫🇷 propriété

🇪🇸 propiedad

🇹🇷 özellik

🇰🇷 특성 (teukseong)

🇸🇦 خاصية

🇨🇿 vlastnost

🇸🇰 vlastnosť

🇨🇳 属性 (shǔxìng)

🇸🇮 lastnost

🇮🇸 eiginleiki

🇰🇿 қасиет

🇬🇪 თვისება

🇦🇿 xüsusiyyət

🇲🇽 propiedad

Word Frequency Rank

With position #234, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.