Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

patent

1 noun
     
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pa‧tent1
[uncountable and countable]BBSCL a special document that gives you the right to make or sell a new invention or product that no one else is allowed to copy
patent on/for
He applied for a patent for a new method of removing paint.
He wants to take out a patent on his new type of dustbin.
The drugs are protected by patent.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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