# public domain

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/public-domain
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. copyright status

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the state of creative works that are no longer protected by copyright, so anyone can use them for free.

For teachers: the status of creative works whose intellectual property rights have expired, been forfeited, or are inapplicable.

- Since the book is now in the public domain, you can download it for free.
- The studio confirmed that the original character design had entered the public domain, allowing independent creators to use it without licensing fees.

Usage: Usually follows the preposition 'in'.

### 2. general knowledge

noun · CEFR B2

information or facts that are known by the general public and are not a secret.

For teachers: the state of being known by the general public; information that is no longer confidential or private.

- Details of the company's financial problems are now in the public domain.
- Once the sensitive documents were leaked to the press, the details of the merger were firmly in the public domain.

Usage: Usually follows the preposition 'in'.

### 3. public land

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

land that is owned by the government or the people rather than a private owner.

For teachers: land owned by the state or the public, particularly in the United States, which is not subject to private ownership.

- The hikers spent the weekend exploring the vast public domain in the west.
- The federal government manages millions of acres of public domain, balancing the needs of conservation with those of local ranchers.

## Examples

- The classic novel is now in the public domain.
- Because the original music is in the public domain, the filmmaker used it in her movie without paying a fee.
- Works typically enter the public domain several decades after the creator's death, allowing for new adaptations and educational uses that were previously restricted by copyright law.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.