imprimatur

American  

[im-pri-mah-ter, im-prim-uh-ter, im-pri-mey-ter] / ˌɪm prɪˈmɑ tər, ˌɪmˈprɪm ə tər, ˌɪm prɪˈmeɪ tər /

noun

1. an official license to print or publish a book, pamphlet, etc., especially a license issued by a censor of the Roman Catholic Church.

2. sanction or approval; support.

   Our plan has the company president's imprimatur.

---

imprimatur British  

/ -ˈmɑː-, ˌɪmprɪˈmeɪtə /

noun

1. RC Church a licence granted by a bishop certifying the Church's approval of a book to be published

2. sanction, authority, or approval, esp for something to be printed

---

Etymology

Origin of imprimatur

First recorded in 1630–40; from New Latin: literally, “let it be printed,” Latin: literally, “let it be made by pressing upon (something)”; impress ¹

Example Sentences

But it turns out putting the family imprimatur on a crypto business was far more lucrative than steaks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

In fairness to Tony, this wasn’t the end of dubious reporting affixed with the imprimatur of the broadcaster’s brand.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2026

It comes with Stanford’s official imprimatur; the opening remarks will be delivered by its freshly appointed president, Jonathan Levin, an economist who took office Aug. 1.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2024

The prayer breakfast that Zhovnir and Unguryan organized in Washington for this year’s Ukrainian Week apparently had the imprimatur of Zelenskyy’s government.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2024

Well-known quotations embody both of these things: they come with the imprimatur both of ancient derivation, and of the many people who, by passing it on, in some way are understood to have endorsed it.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith