ownership
noun
own·er·ship
ˈō-nər-ˌship 
plural ownerships
1
: the state, relation, or fact of being an owner
Warhol died in 1987, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts assumed ownership of his work.—
Adam Liptak
Adam Liptak… transfer of business and farm ownerships …—The Columbian (Clark County, Washington) (online)
The Columbian (Clark County, Washington) (online)2
: a group or organization of owners
The sale, if approved by at least 75% of major league ownership, would value the team at $1.725 billion.—Cale Clinton
Cale Clinton3
: the quality or state of being accountable : responsibility
A successful candidate must settle all fines and costs owed to the society … and take full ownership for the conduct that led to their disciplinary hearing.—Maggie McIntosh
Maggie McIntoshThe important thing in those situations is to promptly accept ownership of a misstep, do what's necessary to clean up the mess, and make the changes necessary to ensure it doesn't happen again.—Danville (Virginia) Register & Bee
Danville (Virginia) Register & BeeExamples of ownership in a Sentence
The company is under private ownership.
Recent Examples on the Web
Co-designing automation with employees invites ownership, preserves purpose and affirms dignity—because progress without participation breeds resistance, not resilience.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Observe and report to armed security Scott Keller, who in December took on the role of the Plaza’s general manager, said the new ownership group began working to improve security soon after the Plaza was purchased.
—Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025
The legal contract protects their land from development indefinitely, even if its ownership changes.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 13 July 2025
Management also expressed frustration with the calendar proximity to free agency, and ownership liked the appeal of cost savings.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ownership
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Observe and report to armed security Scott Keller, who in December took on the role of the Plaza’s general manager, said the new ownership group began working to improve security soon after the Plaza was purchased.
—Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025
The legal contract protects their land from development indefinitely, even if its ownership changes.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 13 July 2025
Management also expressed frustration with the calendar proximity to free agency, and ownership liked the appeal of cost savings.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ownership
Cite this Entry
“Ownership.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ownership. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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