2pat·ent 
/ˈpætn̩t, Brit ˈpeɪtn̩t/ noun
plural pat·ents /ˈpætn̩t, Brit ˈpeɪtn̩t/ noun : an official document that gives a person or company the right to be the only one that makes or sells a product for a certain period of time [count] — often + on ▪ The company holds the/a patent on the product. ▪ They want to take out a patent on [=obtain a patent for] the process. — often + for ▪ She applied for patents for several of her inventions. [noncount] ▪ The product is protected by patent.
