impression

[ im-presh-uhn ]
See synonyms for: impressionimpressions on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a strong effect produced on the intellect, feelings, conscience, etc.

  2. the first and immediate effect of an experience or perception upon the mind; sensation.

  1. the effect produced by an agency or influence.

  2. a notion, remembrance, belief, etc., often of a vague or indistinct nature: He had a general impression of lights, voices, and the clinking of silver.

  3. a mark, indentation, figure, etc., produced by pressure.

  4. an image in the mind caused by something external to it.

  5. the act of impressing; state of being impressed.

  6. Dentistry. a mold taken, in plastic materials or plaster of Paris, of teeth and the surrounding tissues.

  7. an imitation of the voice, mannerisms, and other traits of a person, especially a famous person, as by an entertainer: The comedian did a hilarious impression of the president.

  8. Chiefly Printing.

    • the process or result of printing from type, plates, etc.

    • a printed copy from type, a plate, an engraved block, etc.

    • one of a number of printings made at different times from the same set of type, without alteration (distinguished from edition).

    • the total number of copies of a book, pamphlet, etc., printed at one time from one setting of type or from one set of plates.

  9. Metalworking. a portion of a die having in reverse the intended form of an object to be forged.

Origin of impression

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English impressio(u)n, from Latin impressiōn-, stem of impressiō; equivalent to impress1 + -ion

Other words for impression

Other words from impression

  • im·pres·sion·al, adjective
  • im·pres·sion·al·ly, adverb
  • im·pres·sion·less, adjective
  • pre·im·pres·sion, noun

Words Nearby impression

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use impression in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impression

impression

/ (ɪmˈprɛʃən) /


noun
  1. an effect produced in the mind by a stimulus; sensation: he gave the impression of wanting to help

  2. an imprint or mark produced by pressing: he left the impression of his finger in the mud

  1. a vague idea, consciousness, or belief: I had the impression we had met before

  2. a strong, favourable, or remarkable effect: he made an impression on the managers

  3. the act of impressing or the state of being impressed

  4. printing

    • the act, process, or result of printing from type, plates, etc

    • one of a number of printings of a publication printed from the same setting of type with no or few alterations: Compare edition (def. 2)

    • the total number of copies of a publication printed at one time

  5. dentistry an imprint of the teeth and gums, esp in wax or plaster, for use in preparing crowns, inlays, or dentures

  6. an imitation or impersonation: he did a funny impression of the politician

Derived forms of impression

  • impressional, adjective
  • impressionally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with impression

impression

see make an impression under the impression.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.