English · Word Candidate

pirate

/ˈpaɪɹət/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: pirates · pirating · pirated

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A criminal who plunders at sea; commonly attacking merchant vessels, though often pillaging port towns.

Noun

Examples

You should be cautious due to the Somali pirates.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An armed ship or vessel that sails for the purpose of plundering other vessels.

Noun

Examples

How did you do it? Have you searched for hidden treasure, or discovered a pole, or done time on a pirate, or flown the Channel, or what? Where is the glamour of romance? How did you get it?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To appropriate by piracy; to plunder at sea.

Verb

Examples

They pirated the tanker and sailed to a port where they could sell the ship and cargo.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To create and/or sell an unauthorized copy of.

Verb

Examples

If a book is pirated there is a remedy for the author and publisher; if a photograph or an engraving is made of a picture without permission the law protects the painter.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “pirate” mean?

A criminal who plunders at sea; commonly attacking merchant vessels, though often pillaging port towns.

Is “pirate” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.