First Known Use: 1537
Dictionary
piracy
noun pi·ra·cy \ˈpī-rə-sē\
: the act of attacking and stealing from a ship at sea
: the act of illegally copying someone's product or invention without permission
: the act of illegally making television or radio broadcasts
plural pi·ra·cies
Full Definition of PIRACY
1
: an act of robbery on the high seas; also : an act resembling such robbery
2
: robbery on the high seas
3
a : the unauthorized use of another's production, invention, or conception especially in infringement of a copyright b : the illicit accessing of broadcast signals
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Origin of PIRACY
Medieval Latin piratia, from Late Greek peirateia, from Greek peiratēs pirate
Related to PIRACY
- Synonyms
- pirating
Other Legal Terms
PIRACY Defined for Kids
piracy
noun pi·ra·cy \ˈpī-rə-sē\
plural pi·ra·cies
Definition of PIRACY for Kids
1
: robbery of a ship at sea
2
: the use of another's work or invention without permission
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