A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.

She applied for a patent to protect her new invention from being copied.

A document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention.

The patent was displayed proudly in his office as a testament to his innovation.

patentverb

To obtain a patent for an invention, granting the exclusive right to make, use, or sell the invention for a certain number of years.

The company decided to patent their new software to protect it from being copied by competitors.

patentadjective

Easily recognizable or obvious.

Her patent enthusiasm for the project was infectious.

Open and transparent to public inspection; not secret or concealed.

The committee's deliberations were patent, allowing journalists to attend and report freely.

Protected by a patent; proprietary or under exclusive rights granted by a patent.

The pharmaceutical company markets a patent drug that no competitors can copy.

Botany/Zoology: Spreading out or standing open; expanded.

The moss has patent leaves that lie flat against the surface.