First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
property
noun prop·er·ty \ˈprä-pər-tē\
: something that is owned by a person, business, etc.
: a piece of land often with buildings on it that is owned by a person, business, etc.
: a special quality or characteristic of something
plural prop·er·ties
Full Definition of PROPERTY
1
a : a quality or trait belonging and especially peculiar to an individual or thing b : an effect that an object has on another object or on the senses c : virtue 3 d : an attribute common to all members of a class
2
a : something owned or possessed; specifically : a piece of real estate b : the exclusive right to possess, enjoy, and dispose of a thing : ownership c : something to which a person or business has a legal title d : one (as a performer) who is under contract and whose work is especially valuable e : a book or script purchased for publication or production
3
: an article or object used in a play or motion picture except painted scenery and costumes
— prop·er·ty·less \-ləs\ adjective
— prop·er·ty·less·ness \-nəs\ noun
See property defined for English-language learners
See property defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PROPERTY
Middle English proprete, from Anglo-French propreté, from Latin proprietat-, proprietas, from proprius own
Synonym Discussion of PROPERTY
quality, property, character, attribute mean an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified. quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic <material with a silky quality>. property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species <the property of not conducting heat>. character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class <remarks of an unseemly character>. attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being <the attributes of a military hero>.
Other Economics Terms
PROPERTY Defined for Kids
property
noun prop·er·ty \ˈprä-pər-tē\
plural prop·er·ties
Definition of PROPERTY for Kids
1
: something (as land or money) that is owned <That car is my property.>
2
: a special quality of a thing <Sweetness is a property of sugar.>
Learn More About PROPERTY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: property damage insurancePrevious Word in the Dictionary: propertiedAll Words Near: property
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up property? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).