Legal Definitions - private

The term private generally refers to something that belongs to, concerns, or is intended for a specific individual or group, rather than the general public or the government. It often implies a degree of exclusivity, confidentiality, or non-public ownership.

• Belonging to an individual or non-governmental entity: One common meaning of private describes something that is owned, controlled, or operated by individuals or non-governmental organizations, distinguishing it from public or state-controlled entities.

  • Example: A person's backyard garden is considered private property because it belongs to the homeowner, who has the right to decide who can enter or use it, unlike a public park which is open to everyone.

    Explanation: This illustrates 'private' as something belonging to an individual, where access and use are controlled by that person, not the general public or government.

  • Example: A small, independent art gallery funded solely by its founder and ticket sales is a private institution. It operates outside of government funding or control, making its decisions independently.

    Explanation: Here, 'private' highlights that the gallery is not a public entity; its ownership and operations are independent of government influence.

• Company ownership structure: When referring to a company, private indicates that its ownership shares are not bought and sold on public stock exchanges. Instead, ownership is typically held by a small group of individuals, families, or other private entities.

  • Example: A local software startup, funded by its founders and a few angel investors, is a private company. Its shares are not available for purchase by the general public on markets like the New York Stock Exchange.

    Explanation: This example demonstrates 'private' in the context of business ownership, where the company's equity is not publicly traded, and its ownership remains within a limited group.

• Confidentiality or secrecy: A third meaning of private refers to information or matters that are intended to be kept confidential or secret, not shared with others without permission.

  • Example: When a doctor discusses a patient's health condition, that conversation is considered private. The details are confidential and protected by law, not to be shared with others without the patient's consent.

    Explanation: This shows 'private' as information that is confidential and protected, emphasizing its restricted access and the expectation of secrecy.

  • Example: A person's diary is a private document. It contains personal thoughts and feelings intended only for the author, and reading it without permission would be an invasion of privacy.

    Explanation: Here, 'private' refers to something intended for personal use and kept secret, highlighting the expectation that its contents will not be disclosed.