The legal right to ownership of property, or the documentary evidence establishing that ownership. Title represents the bundle of rights that come with property ownership, including the right to possess, use, transfer, and exclude others. Also refers to the document (like a deed) that proves ownership.
Title means legal ownership of something—you have title to your house, your car. It's also the document that proves you own it, like a property deed or car title. Having good title means you truly own it with no disputes.
⏱ When you'll encounter this term
- Buying or selling real estate
- Transferring property through inheritance
- Title searches and title insurance
- Resolving ownership disputes
"When Mum died, her house passed to me under her will. But I didn't have clear title until probate finished and we recorded the deed transferring title from her estate to me. Now my name is on the title as the legal owner."
⚖️ Compare: Title vs Deed
The ownership itself. The right to own. Abstract legal concept. What you have.
The document proving ownership. Physical or recorded paper. Evidence of title. What you hold.
💡 Did you know?
Title insurance protects against defects in title—like discovering someone else has a valid claim to property you thought you owned. When buying real estate, lawyers do a "title search" to verify the seller actually has good title to transfer to you.