imprint
Americannoun
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a mark made by pressure; a mark or figure impressed or printed on something.
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any impression or impressed effect.
He left the imprint of his thought on all succeeding scholars.
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Bibliography.
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the name of a book's publisher printed on the title page or elsewhere, usually with the place and date of publication.
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the statement of such information in a bibliographic description of a printed work.
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a name, title, or other designation by which all or certain specific books of a publisher are identified.
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any marketing name used by a company or organization for a product line; brand or label.
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the printer's name and address as indicated on any printed matter.
verb (used with object)
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to impress (a quality, character, distinguishing mark, etc.).
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to produce (a mark) on something by pressure.
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to bestow, as a kiss.
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to fix firmly on the mind, memory, etc.
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Animal Behavior, Psychology. to acquire or establish by imprinting.
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to make an imprint upon.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a mark or impression produced by pressure, printing, or stamping
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a characteristic mark or indication; stamp
the imprint of great sadness on his face
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the publisher's name and address, usually with the date of publication, in a book, pamphlet, etc
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the printer's name and address on any printed matter
verb
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to produce (a mark, impression, etc) on (a surface) by pressure, printing, or stamping
to imprint a seal on wax
to imprint wax with a seal
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to establish firmly; impress; stamp
to imprint the details on one's mind
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(of young animals) to undergo the process of imprinting
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has imprintedperfect 3rd person singular
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have imprintedperfect
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have been imprintingperfect progressive
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has been imprintingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is imprintingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are imprintingprogressive
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am imprintingprogressive 1st person singular
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imprintssingular 3rd person
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imprintingparticiple
Past
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had imprintedperfect
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had been imprintingperfect progressive
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was imprintingprogressive singular
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were imprintingprogressive plural
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imprintedparticiple
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imprintedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of imprint
1325–75; im- 1 + print; replacing Middle English empreynten < Middle French empreinter, derivative of empreinte, feminine past participle of empreindre < Latin imprimere to impress 1
Explanation
To imprint is to mark or stamp something, like with the name of a publisher. It also can refer to any kind of impression or influence. You can imprint or leave imprints — the word is happy as a verb or a noun. You can literally imprint something with a stamp of your initials. You can even make an imprint on a bed just by lying on it. Branding is a type of imprinting too. Also, if someone changed your life, she left an imprint on you. You can hear the imprint (influence) of the blues on any rock and roll song. All imprints leave a mark.
Vocabulary lists containing imprint
Long Way Down
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Number the Stars
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Frindle
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the April 13, 2026, print edition as 'Carlson Sets a Deal For a Books Imprint'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
The new collection, dubbed Imprint, is made up of sturdy neutrals for men, women and kids, captured in a campaign featuring the Compton Cowboys.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2023
One of the most prolific fruited sour series in the country, Imprint has produced more than 550 beers under the Schmoojee label, including nearly 100 collaborations.
From Washington Post • Oct. 27, 2022
Imprint News.org, a nonprofit website devoted to youth and family news, said some agencies are searching Craigslist to find families.
From Washington Times • Apr. 11, 2021
The Imprint, as above, is at the foot of p.
From The Works of Lord Byron, Vol. 7. Poetry by Coleridge, Ernest Hartley
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
