Meaning & use
pirate
Last updated
A person who attacks and robs ships at sea; also, someone who illegally copies or distributes copyrighted material.
See it in a sentence
The pirates boarded the merchant ship and stole its cargo of silk and spices.
The software company sued several websites for letting users pirate its programs.
A note on using this word
The figurative sense, referring to someone who illegally copies music, movies, or software, has been common since at least the 17th century, long before digital piracy existed.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To illegally copy or use copyrighted material without permission.
It's still common for people to pirate movies online despite the legal risks.
Make it your own
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