B2noun1K

Ownership

UK /["/ˈəʊnəʃɪp/"]/US /["/ˈəʊnərʃɪp/"]/

Definition

the fact of owning something

In simple words: having something as your own

Examples

  • a growth in home ownership
  • Ownership of the land is currently being disputed.
  • to be in **joint/private/public ownership**
  • The restaurant is under new ownership.
  • The business has changed ownership several times.
  • The estate passed into public ownership.

Usage notes

Use 'ownership' when discussing who has control over something. It's suitable in both casual and formal conversations, but avoid it in very informal contexts.

Grammar pattern

ownership + of + object

Memory hint

Think of 'own' + 'ship' - it’s like a ship that you own.

Collocations

  • full
  • sole
  • collective
  • change
  • transfer
  • pass into
  • pass
  • under (the) ownership
  • a change in ownership

Synonyms

  • possession
  • control
  • custody
  • proprietorship
  • title

Antonyms

  • non-ownership
  • lease
  • rent

Common mistakes

  • 'Owning' is confused with 'ownership' as a verb.
  • Using 'ownership' incorrectly with inanimate objects (should be 'of').