imprint

American  

[im-print, im-print] / ˈɪm prɪnt, ɪmˈprɪnt /

noun

1. a mark made by pressure; a mark or figure impressed or printed on something.

2. any impression or impressed effect.

   He left the imprint of his thought on all succeeding scholars.

3. Bibliography.

   1. the name of a book's publisher printed on the title page or elsewhere, usually with the place and date of publication.

   2. the statement of such information in a bibliographic description of a printed work.

   3. a name, title, or other designation by which all or certain specific books of a publisher are identified.

4. any marketing name used by a company or organization for a product line; brand or label.

5. the printer's name and address as indicated on any printed matter.

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verb (used with object)

1. to impress (a quality, character, distinguishing mark, etc.).

2. to produce (a mark) on something by pressure.

3. to bestow, as a kiss.

4. to fix firmly on the mind, memory, etc.

5. Animal Behavior, Psychology. to acquire or establish by imprinting.

6. to make an imprint upon.

verb (used without object)

1. to make an impression; have an effect.

imprint British  

noun

1. a mark or impression produced by pressure, printing, or stamping

2. a characteristic mark or indication; stamp

   the imprint of great sadness on his face

3. the publisher's name and address, usually with the date of publication, in a book, pamphlet, etc

4. the printer's name and address on any printed matter

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verb

1. 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

2. to establish firmly; impress; stamp

   to imprint the details on one's mind

3. (of young animals) to undergo the process of imprinting

Other Word Forms

• imprinter noun
• reimprint verb (used with object)
• unimprinted adjective

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

Example Sentences

The lettering had been stripped from the building, leaving only a faint imprint of the school’s name on the facade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

And at Indian Wells, a tournament near where he grew up yet still relatively new to him, Tien hopes this year leaves a longer imprint than the last.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Richardson also said: "It should not have been done, it was not requested, it is unclear why it did happen, but as a result of that, the imprint was truncated off the bottom."

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

He is the author of “The Fateful History of Fannie Mae,” published by History Press in 2012, and "Yours Truly," published by Kensington's Citadel Press imprint, a book on how to tell life stories.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The imprint of her thumb remained in the bread’s soft pores.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

Related Words

• engrave
• etch
• inscribe