Legal Definitions - private

Definition: Private is an adjective that describes something that belongs to an individual, not the public or the government. It can also refer to a company that does not have shares available for purchase on the open market. Additionally, private can mean something that is confidential or secret.

• My diary is private and I don't want anyone else to read it.
• Some companies choose to remain private and do not sell shares to the public.
• The information we discussed in the meeting is private and should not be shared with anyone outside the company.

The first example illustrates the personal nature of something that is private. The second example shows how a company can choose to keep its ownership structure private. The third example demonstrates how private can refer to confidential information that should not be shared with others.