impression

American  

[im-presh-uhn] / ɪmˈprɛʃ ən /

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.

   Synonyms:

   imprint, impact

3. the effect produced by an agency or influence.

4. 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.

   Synonyms:

   feeling

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

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

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

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

9. 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.

10. Chiefly Printing.

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

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

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

    4. 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.

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

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impression British  

/ 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

3. a vague idea, consciousness, or belief

   I had the impression we had met before

4. a strong, favourable, or remarkable effect

   he made an impression on the managers

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

6. printing

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

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

   3. the total number of copies of a publication printed at one time

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

8. an imitation or impersonation

   he did a funny impression of the politician

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impression Idioms  

1. see make an impression under the impression.

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Other Word Forms

• impressional adjective
• impressionally adverb
• impressionless adjective
• preimpression noun

Etymology

Origin of impression

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

Example Sentences

Listen to the sport's top drivers, and it would be easy to get that impression.

From BBC

For decades prior to the accords, U.S. forces in the Middle East had sought to avoid the impression that they were closely integrated with the Israeli military.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the workplace, people often have only vague impressions about team dynamics.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.N. agency has the “firm impression” that Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium still lie buried at the sites bombed last June, Grossi said earlier this month.

From The Wall Street Journal

The pond within the field, with its amazingly clear reflective abilities, made a big impression.

From Literature

Related Words

• belief
• concept
• image
• memory
• notion
• opinion
• perception
• recollection
• sense
• suspicion
• theory
• thought
• view