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Law vocabulary · Rights & Obligations

Property

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈprɒpəti/nounCore term

In law, property means: Things that someone owns, such as land, buildings, goods or money, and also the legal right of ownership over those things.

In Turkish: mülkiyet, mal, taşınmaz, mülk

How it is used

Lawyers distinguish 'real property' (land and buildings) from 'personal property' (movable things) and from 'intellectual property'. In everyday and business English 'a property' usually means a house, flat or building. 'Property law' is the area of law dealing with ownership and land.

Example sentences

  1. The property is registered in the name of both spouses.

  2. Damage to property is covered by the policy, but personal injury is not.

Common collocations

  • real property
  • personal property
  • intellectual property
  • property rights
  • damage to property
  • inheritanceMoney, property or rights that pass to a person when someone dies, and the legal process by which this happens.
  • willA legal document in which a person states who should receive their property and money after they die, and who should manage this.
  • rightSomething the law allows you to have or do, or allows you to demand from others, such as the right to a fair trial or the right to be paid.
  • tortA wrongful act, other than a breach of contract, that causes harm to another person and allows them to claim compensation in a civil court.
  • creditorA person or organisation that is owed money or another performance by someone else, such as a bank that has lent money.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Rights & Obligations

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.