im·print
im-ˈprint 
ˈim-ˌprint
ˈim-ˌprint
imprinted; imprinting; imprints
1
: to mark by or as if by pressure : impress
2
a
: to fix indelibly or permanently (as on the memory)
b
: to subject to or induce by imprinting
an imprinted preference
: to undergo imprinting
im·print
ˈim-ˌprint
: something imprinted or printed: such as
a
: a mark or depression made by pressure
the fossil imprint of a dinosaur's foot
b
: an identifying name (as of a publisher) placed conspicuously on a product
also
: the name under which a publisher issues books
c
: an indelible distinguishing effect or influence
Synonyms
Examples of imprint in a Sentence
Verb
wearing a T-shirt imprinted with the company logo
a picture imprinted in my memory
Noun
We saw an imprint of a bike tire on the dirt trail.
a fossil imprint of a dinosaur's foot
Recent Examples on the Web
NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024
Elements of The Matrix came from the Wachowskis' days working at the Marvel comics imprint Razorline in 1993.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024
This time, the ramp up included offseason conversations with players and staff, along with the time spring training allowed to establish culture and imprint himself on all-things-Padres.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2024
Spot a political pattern emerging across the globe, pin its fortunes to yours (Clinton’s Third Way neoliberalism, Reagan’s cheerily fierce anti-Communism), and your legacy might reach far beyond Washington, your ideas imprinted in the hearts of billions.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2024
Later that evening, Adam Lee is in the plate room imprinting digital files, produced by editors and page designers, onto aluminum sheets.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
Greeting voters this week in Vidor, Texas, near the Louisiana border, Mr. Phelan — wearing a white T-shirt and a camouflage hat, both imprinted with his name — bristled at his opponent’s claims that the Texas House under his leadership had not advanced conservative causes.
—J. David Goodman, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024
Marin’s weird and hilarious flavor of stoner slapstick comedy alongside Tommy Chong has forever imprinted the Cheech and Chong names into the history books.
—Lindsey Bartlett, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
But the main star of the show is obviously the ability to imprint the Xbox logo into your bread like a real gamer.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 4 Jan. 2024
Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
Celebrate With Bunny Paw Print Cookies The Easter rabbit baked these cute cookies with their paw imprint.
—Laura Fenton, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Along with starring in the production, Reid will also co-produce the film under her own imprint, A Seed & Wings Productions, as well as Kenya Barris and his Khalabo Ink Society.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
The disappearance of the caliphate — that is, an anchoring spiritual authority for Muslims, especially Sunnis, around the world — left a deep imprint on 20th century politics.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Jean’s music eventually made it into the hands (or, better, ears) of Rick Rubin, who promptly signed him to his American Songs imprint.
—Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 20 Mar. 2024
The song was written by Pablo Preciado (Matisse) and marks the return of the imprint sound of Intocable.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024
While already experiencing rapid urban expansion, Phoenix in the 1960s was only beginning to leave its imprint on the map.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024
Used with permission of HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
Copied from a newsletter published by students in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, the image features a Black man and an Arab man with nooses around their necks, held by a hand imprinted with the Star of David that has a dollar sign in the middle of the star.
—NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024
Elements of The Matrix came from the Wachowskis' days working at the Marvel comics imprint Razorline in 1993.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024
This time, the ramp up included offseason conversations with players and staff, along with the time spring training allowed to establish culture and imprint himself on all-things-Padres.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2024
Spot a political pattern emerging across the globe, pin its fortunes to yours (Clinton’s Third Way neoliberalism, Reagan’s cheerily fierce anti-Communism), and your legacy might reach far beyond Washington, your ideas imprinted in the hearts of billions.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2024
Later that evening, Adam Lee is in the plate room imprinting digital files, produced by editors and page designers, onto aluminum sheets.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
Greeting voters this week in Vidor, Texas, near the Louisiana border, Mr. Phelan — wearing a white T-shirt and a camouflage hat, both imprinted with his name — bristled at his opponent’s claims that the Texas House under his leadership had not advanced conservative causes.
—J. David Goodman, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024
Marin’s weird and hilarious flavor of stoner slapstick comedy alongside Tommy Chong has forever imprinted the Cheech and Chong names into the history books.
—Lindsey Bartlett, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
But the main star of the show is obviously the ability to imprint the Xbox logo into your bread like a real gamer.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 4 Jan. 2024
Noun
The song spans a myriad of references and influences, but the imprint of Tina Turner is unmistakable.
—Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
Celebrate With Bunny Paw Print Cookies The Easter rabbit baked these cute cookies with their paw imprint.
—Laura Fenton, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Along with starring in the production, Reid will also co-produce the film under her own imprint, A Seed & Wings Productions, as well as Kenya Barris and his Khalabo Ink Society.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
The disappearance of the caliphate — that is, an anchoring spiritual authority for Muslims, especially Sunnis, around the world — left a deep imprint on 20th century politics.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Jean’s music eventually made it into the hands (or, better, ears) of Rick Rubin, who promptly signed him to his American Songs imprint.
—Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 20 Mar. 2024
The song was written by Pablo Preciado (Matisse) and marks the return of the imprint sound of Intocable.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024
While already experiencing rapid urban expansion, Phoenix in the 1960s was only beginning to leave its imprint on the map.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024
Used with permission of HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imprint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near imprint
Cite this Entry
“Imprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprint. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imprint
2 of 2 noun
im·print
ˈim-ˌprint
1
: something imprinted or printed : impression
the imprint of a hippo's foot
2
: a publisher's name on the title page of a book
Medical Definition
1
: to fix indelibly or permanently (as on the memory)
2
: to subject to or induce by imprinting
an imprinted preference
a gene imprinted to be inactive when inherited from the mother
: to undergo imprinting
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