Ownership

Definition

Ownership refers to the act, state, or right of possessing something.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈoʊnərʃɪp/
• Respelling: OWN-er-ship (with "OWN" as in "own," "er" as in "her," and "ship" as in "ship")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈəʊnəʃɪp/
• Respelling: OWN-uh-ship (with "OWN" as in "own," "uh" as in "cut," and "ship" as in "ship")

In both dialects, "ownership" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "OWN." The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "OWN" followed by "er" or "uh" and then "ship."

Etymology

"Ownership" originates from the combination of "own" and the suffix "-ship". "Own" comes from Old English ágen meaning "own, possessed by," and "-ship" is a native English suffix of nouns denoting condition, character, office, skill, etc.

Derivatives

• Co-ownership
• Ownershipless
• Homeownership
• Non-ownership
• Part-ownership

Synonyms

• Possession
• Title
• Proprietorship

Antonyms

• Rental
• Lease
• Non-possession

Usage

• Used to indicate the state or fact of owning something or the legal right of possessing something.

Related Terms

• Property
• Stake
• Share
• Hold
• Control

Detailed Definition

Noun

• The act or state of owning or being an owner.
• Example: "The ownership of the house was transferred to the new buyer."

• The right or capacity to possess, use, and dispose of something.
• Example: "He took full ownership of his actions."

• A state or condition of being answerable or accountable.
• Example: "She has ownership over her project's success."