ownership
gb/ˈoʊnɚʃˌɪp/ us/ˈoʊnɚʃˌɪp/
B1
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
relation
1
Legal right of possession
The state of having something that belongs to you by law.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s ownership of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ownership' with 'possession'. You can possess something without owning it, for example, if you borrow it.
Synonyms
possession (Implies having something physically, but not necessarily the legal right to it.)
|
proprietorship (More formal or business-oriented term for legal ownership.)
Antonyms
lease (Refers to temporary use without legal ownership.)
|
theft (Illegal taking of something from its rightful owner.)
Collocations
full ownership
|joint ownership
|transfer ownership
|prove ownership
|ownership rights
Themes
law
|business
|daily life
Examples
- The company took full ownership of the building last year.
- She proved her ownership of the car with the registration papers.
- Ownership of the land was disputed for decades.
- They share joint ownership of the restaurant.
- The transfer of ownership was completed yesterday.
Learner examples
- I have ownership of this house.
- He showed papers to prove ownership of the bike.
- We share ownership of the shop.
- She took ownership of the car last week.
Noun
B2
state
2
Responsibility for something
Being responsible for something and making sure it is done well.
Usage pattern:
take ownership of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may misinterpret 'take ownership' as meaning to buy something. In this sense, it means to accept responsibility.
Synonyms
accountability (Focuses more on being answerable for actions or results.)
|
responsibility (General term for being in charge or obligated to act.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failure to take responsibility for something.)
Collocations
take ownership
|show ownership
|personal ownership
Themes
work
|self-development
|business
Examples
- He took ownership of the project and delivered it ahead of schedule.
- Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work.
- Taking ownership means accepting both success and failure.
- She showed real ownership in managing the event smoothly.
Learner examples
- He took ownership of the job.
- We must take ownership of our mistakes.
- She shows ownership in her work.
Grammar
Expressions
assume ownership
1/əsˈum ˈoʊnɚʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
formal
Begin legal possession or responsibility
To start having legal possession or control over something, or to start being responsible for it.
Examples
- The new manager will assume ownership next week.
- He assumed ownership of the store after his father retired.
take ownership
1/tˈeɪk ˈoʊnɚʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
Accept responsibility for something
To agree to be responsible for something and manage it.
Examples
- You need to take ownership of your own learning.
- She took ownership of the mistake and fixed it immediately.
transfer of ownership
1/tɹˈænsfɚ əv ˈoʊnɚʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
formal
Change legal owner of something
When the legal owner of something changes to another person or group.
Examples
- The transfer of ownership will be completed next month.
- They signed the papers for the transfer of ownership of the property.
transfer of ownership
2/tɹˈænsfɚ əv ˈoʊnɚʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
formal
Legal change of possession rights
When something legally changes owners.
Examples
- The sale includes the transfer of ownership of the property.
- Transfer of ownership must be registered with the authorities.