patent office

noun

: a government office for examining claims to patents and granting patents

Examples of patent office in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The patent office declined to comment when reached by The Hill at the time. Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 But when the patent office issues low-quality patents, waste and abuse ensues. MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Sep. 2025 Bell reached the patent office mere hours before Gray and won the famous battle over the invention when his patent was passed on March 7, 1876. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026 Costs may be higher for patent filings that require extensive modifications and lengthy communication with the patent office. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for patent office

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patent office was in 1696

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Cite this Entry

“Patent office.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patent%20office. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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