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Definition of property noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

      

    property

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//ˈprɑpərt̮i//
     
    (pl. properties)
     
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  1. 1[uncountable] a thing or things that are owned by someone; a possession or possessions This building is government property. Be careful not to damage other people's property. see intellectual property, public property Thesaurusthings
    • stuff
    • property
    • possessions
    • junk
    • belongings
    • goods
    • valuables
    These are all words for objects or items, especially ones that you own or have with you at a particular time.
    • things (somewhat informal) objects, clothing, or tools that you own or that are used for a particular purpose:Can I help you pack your things? This box is full of camping things.
    • stuff (informal) used to refer to a group of objects when you do not know their names, when the names are not important, or when it is obvious what you are talking about:Where's all my stuff? Don't forget your swimming stuff.
    things or stuff?These words are similar and often you can use either. Use things when the items might be used individually as tools (sewing thingsgardening things). Use stuff to refer to all the equipment necessary for one particular activity or project.
    • property (somewhat formal) a thing or things that are owned by someone:This building is government property. Be careful not to damage other people's property.
    • possessions things that you own, especially something that can be moved:Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions except letters and photographs.
    • junk things that are considered useless or of little value:I've cleared out all that old junk from the attic.
    • belongings possessions that can be moved, especially ones that you have with you at a particular time:Please make sure you have all your belongings with you when leaving the plane.
    • goods (somewhat formal or technical) possessions that can be moved:She was found guilty of trading in stolen goods.
    • valuables things that are worth a lot of money, especially small personal things such as jewelry or cameras:Never leave cash or other valuables lying around.
    Patterns
    • personal things/stuff/property/possessions/belongings
    • to collect/gather/pack (up) your things/stuff/possessions/belongings
    • to search somebody's/your/the things/stuff/property/belongings
    • to go through somebody's/your/the things/stuff/belongings
  2. 2[uncountable] land and buildings The price of property has risen enormously. property prices a property developer Thesaurusbuilding
    • property
    • premises
    • complex
    • structure
    These are all words for a structure such as a house, school, or factory that has a roof and four walls.
    • building a structure such as a house, school, or factory that has a roof and four walls
    • property a building or buildings and the surrounding land; land and buildings:We have a buyer who would like to view the property. Property values have risen enormously. This word is often used when talking about buying/selling houses or other buildings and land.
    • premises [pl.] (formal) the building or buildings and surrounding land that a business or person owns or uses:The police searched the premises.
    • complex a group of buildings of a similar type together in one place:an apartment complex
    • structure a thing that is made of several parts, especially a building:The pier is a wooden structure.
    Patterns
    • (a/an) commercial/industrial/residential building/property/premises/complex
    • an apartment building/complex
    • a/the school building/premises
    • to build a property/complex/structure
    • to put up a building/property/structure
    • to demolish/knock down a building/property/complex/structure
  3. 3[countable] a building or buildings and the surrounding land There are a lot of empty properties in the area. Thesaurusbuilding
    • property
    • premises
    • complex
    • structure
    These are all words for a structure such as a house, school, or factory that has a roof and four walls.
    • building a structure such as a house, school, or factory that has a roof and four walls
    • property a building or buildings and the surrounding land; land and buildings:We have a buyer who would like to view the property. Property values have risen enormously. This word is often used when talking about buying/selling houses or other buildings and land.
    • premises [pl.] (formal) the building or buildings and surrounding land that a business or person owns or uses:The police searched the premises.
    • complex a group of buildings of a similar type together in one place:an apartment complex
    • structure a thing that is made of several parts, especially a building:The pier is a wooden structure.
    Patterns
    • (a/an) commercial/industrial/residential building/property/premises/complex
    • an apartment building/complex
    • a/the school building/premises
    • to build a property/complex/structure
    • to put up a building/property/structure
    • to demolish/knock down a building/property/complex/structure
  4. 4[countable, usually plural] (formal) a quality or characteristic that something has Compare the physical properties of the two substances. a plant with medicinal properties
See property in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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