trademark

American  

[treyd-mahrk] / ˈtreɪdˌmɑrk /

noun

1. any name, symbol, figure, letter, word, or mark adopted and used by a manufacturer or merchant in order to designate specific goods and to distinguish them from those manufactured or sold by others. A trademark is proprietary and is usually registered with the Patent and Trademark Office to assure its exclusive use by its owner or licensee.

2. a distinctive mark or feature particularly characteristic of or identified with a person or thing (often used attributively).

   her trademark wit and sarcasm.

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verb (used with object)

1. to stamp or otherwise place a trademark designation upon.

2. to register the trademark of.

trademark British  

/ ˈtreɪdˌmɑːk /

noun

1. the name or other symbol used to identify the goods produced by a particular manufacturer or distributed by a particular dealer and to distinguish them from products associated with competing manufacturers or dealers. A trademark that has been officially registered and is therefore legally protected is known as a Registered Trademark

2. any distinctive sign or mark of the presence of a person or animal

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verb

1. to label with a trademark

2. to register as a trademark

Etymology

Origin of trademark

First recorded in 1565–75; trade + mark ¹

Explanation

A trademark is a distinctive feature of something or someone, and to trademark is to brand something, especially in a legal sense. You know how a comedian often has a particular joke she's famous for? That's her trademark. A trademark is something specific to a person that can be used to identify her. The legal sense of trademark is an official representation of a business or product that only they can legally use — like the Nike swoosh or their motto "Just do it."

Example Sentences

Nike has been refused a trademark for Bronny James‘ “b9” logo that appears on shoes have been worn in games by the second-year Lakers player and are being sold by the sports apparel giant.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The refusal letter notes the use of similar or identical language in the description of goods in Back9’s trademark application, which was filed in May 2021 and approved a year later.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

It’s the show’s trademark exclamation, the involuntary squawk of the lucky person who’s just gotten something for nothing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

For the remainder of the encounter, the England midfielder drove Los Blancos with his trademark surging runs, and played a central role in their resurgence after going two goals down.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Fadi read that Clive’s trademark photography style was “capturing the essence of human diversity, cultures, struggles, and joy.”

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Related Words

• brand
• label
• stamp