patent

An official right to control who makes, uses, or sells your invention for a set time.

• She applied for a patent.
• The company holds several patents on medical devices.
• When does the patent expire?

How to use it: patent on something (She holds a patent on a new water filter.); patent for something (They applied for a patent for their invention.)

Common phrases: patent on something, apply for a patent, hold a patent, grant a patent

To obtain the official right to control who makes, uses, or sells an invention.

• They plan to patent the device.
• She patented a new way to clean water.
• Can you patent this design?

Common phrases: patent an invention, patent a design, patent a process

So clear that anyone can easily see or understand it.

• That is patent nonsense.
• His excuse was a patent lie.
• The patent unfairness of the decision angered everyone.

Similar words: obvious, clear, evident

Common phrases: patent nonsense, patent lie, patent absurdity

Open and allowing air or liquid to pass through, especially in a part of the body.

• The airway remained patent.
• Tests showed that the artery was patent.
• The baby needed treatment for a patent ductus arteriosus.

Similar words: open, unobstructed

Opposites: blocked

Common phrases: patent ductus arteriosus, patent airway, patent artery