An easement in gross is an easement that benefits a particular person or entity and not a particular tract of land. The beneficiary of an easement in gross does not need to own any land adjoining the servient estate (the land that provides the use or benefit of the easement)—and often does not own any adjoining land.

For example, a rancher may grant a friend or colleague an easement in gross to come on the ranch and hunt or fish at any time. The friend or colleague may not own an adjoining property and does not need to for purposes of the easement in gross.

Easements in gross are personal or specific to a certain entity and are not transferred upon the sale of the servient estate—they do not run with the land.

In Missouri, an easement in gross is recognized as a personal interest in or right to use the land of another. This type of easement is not tied to the ownership of adjoining land, but rather is specific to an individual or entity. For instance, a rancher can grant a non-adjacent landowner the right to hunt or fish on their property through an easement in gross. Such easements are personal in nature and do not automatically transfer with the sale of the property burdened by the easement (the servient estate). Instead, they typically remain with the original grantee unless the easement agreement provides otherwise. The creation, transfer, and termination of easements in gross in Missouri are governed by state statutes and case law, and they may be subject to specific conditions or limitations as outlined in the easement agreement.