ceded

Ceded is the past participle of the verb cede. In legal and diplomatic contexts, to cede means to formally surrender ownership, sovereignty, rights, or property to another entity, typically through a treaty, purchase, or legislation. Cession is the noun form for the act or process of such transfer.

Origin and usage: The term derives from Latin cedere “to go, yield” and has long been used in international law, constitutional documents, and property transactions. A cession may involve territorial transfer, as when land or territory changes hands between states; it may also involve rights, such as ceding mining rights or jurisdiction over a region.

Historical examples: In 1783, the Treaty of Paris saw Britain cede territories east of the Mississippi to the United States. In 1803, France ceded the Louisiana Territory to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. In 1898, the Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish‑American War and Spain ceded the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States.

Modern context: The term remains common in discussions of changes in sovereignty, land ownership, or administrative control, including the cession of powers within federations or the transfer of rights under international agreements. The noun “cession” is often used to describe the act itself, while “ceded” describes the resulting status or condition.