Shareware (noun)

1. Computer software that is available for free or a reduced cost and can be used for a trial period before purchasing.
2. A software that is distributed for free or for a nominal fee, but requires payment for continued use or to access certain features.

Origin:

The term "shareware" was coined by bob wallace in the early 1980s to describe software that was available for distribution at no cost, with the option for users to purchase a license to access additional features or to support the developer.

Examples:

1. He downloaded the shareware version of the game to try it out before buying the full version.
2. The company's software is shareware, which means that you can download it for free and try it out before deciding to buy it.
3. The shareware program was a limited version of the full software and required a payment to unlock all features.
4. In the early days of the internet, shareware was a popular way for software developers to distribute and market their products.
5. Many popular games and software were available as shareware in the 90s, which allowed users to try before they buy.