Legal Definitions - commodate

Definition: Commodate (kom-uh-deyt) is a type of contract in Roman and civil law where goods are lent to a borrower for a specific purpose and time period, with the borrower being required to return the same goods undamaged to the lender. This arrangement is for the sole benefit of the borrower and is a form of permissive use contract.

Example: If a friend lends you their car for a weekend trip, that is an example of a commodate. The friend is lending you their car for a specific purpose and time period, and you are required to return the same car undamaged to the friend. This arrangement is for your benefit as the borrower.

The example illustrates the definition of commodate as it involves the lending of goods for a specific purpose and time period, with the borrower being required to return the same goods undamaged to the lender. The arrangement is also for the sole benefit of the borrower, as they are the ones using the borrowed goods.