mark

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
: a boundary land
2
a(1)
: a conspicuous object serving as a guide for travelers
(2)
: something (such as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position
b
: one of the bits of leather or colored bunting placed on a sounding line at intervals
c
: target
d
: the starting line or position in a track event
e(1)
(2)
: an object of attack, ridicule, or abuse
specifically : a victim or prospective victim of a swindle
(3)
: the point under discussion
(4)
: condition of being correct or accurate
her observations are on the mark
f
: a standard of performance, quality, or condition : norm
not feeling up to the mark lately
3
a(1)
: sign, indication
a mark of his esteem
(2)
: an impression (such as a scratch, scar, or stain) made on something
(3)
: a distinguishing trait or quality : characteristic
the marks of an educated person
b
: a symbol used for identification or indication of ownership
c
: a cross made in place of a signature
d(1)
(2)
capitalized
used with a numeral to designate a particular model of a product
Mark II
e
: a written or printed symbol (such as a comma or colon)
f
g
: a symbol used to represent a teacher's estimate of a student's work or conduct
especially : grade
h
: a figure registering a point or level reached or achieved
the halfway mark in the game
especially : record
4
a
: attention, notice
nothing worthy of mark
b
: importance, distinction
a person of mark
c
: a lasting or strong impression
d
: an assessment of merits : rating
high marks for honesty

mark

2 of 4

verb

marked; marking; marks

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of
(2)
: to plot the course of : chart
b
: to set apart by or as if by a line or boundary
usually used with off
2
a(1)
: to designate as if by a mark
(2)
: to make or leave a mark on
(3)
: to furnish with natural marks
wings marked with white
(4)
: to label so as to indicate price or quality
(5)
: to make notations in or on
b(1)
: to make note of in writing : jot
marking the date in his journal
(2)
: to indicate by a mark or symbol
mark an accent
(3)
(4)
: to determine the value of by means of marks or symbols : grade
mark term papers
c(1)
: characterize, distinguish
the flamboyance that marks her style
(2)
: signalize
this year marks our 50th anniversary
3
: to take notice of : observe
mark my words
4
: to pick up (one's golf ball) from a putting green and substitute a marker

intransitive verb

: to take careful notice

mark

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
: any of various old European units of weight used especially for gold and silver
especially : a unit equal to about eight ounces (248 grams)
2
: a unit of value:
a
: an old English unit equal to 13 shillings and 4 pence
b
: any one of various old Scandinavian or German units of value
specifically : a unit and corresponding silver coin of the 16th century worth ¹/₂ thaler
c(1)
(2)
: the basic monetary unit of East Germany replaced in 1990 by the West German deutsche mark
d
: markka

Mark

4 of 4

noun (3)

1
a
: an early Jewish Christian traditionally identified as the writer of the Gospel of Mark

called also John Mark

b
: the second Gospel (see gospel entry 1 sense 1) in the New Testament see Bible Table
2
: a king of Cornwall, uncle of Tristram, and husband of Isolde
Phrases
mark time
1
: to keep the time of a marching step by moving the feet alternately without advancing
2
: to maintain a static state of readiness
Choose the Right Synonym for mark

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible.

sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

encouraging signs for the economy

mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

a mark of a good upbringing

token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

this gift is a token of our esteem

note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

a note of irony in her writing

symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

Examples of mark in a Sentence

Verb Any little bit of dirt will mark that fabric. Be careful not to mark the floor with your shoes. mark an accent on a letter She marked an “X” on each box. I have marked the event on my calendar. She marked each box with an “X.” X marks the spot where the suspect was last seen. Use a bookmark to mark your place. We put some tape on the floor to mark where the tables should go. The dog marked the base of the tree by urinating.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Watch Rudd’s Taylor talk (beginning at 11:52 mark) below. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 Strain appears in the bodycam footage around the 14-second mark. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024 The game began well for Israel as Eran Zahavi, the national team’s all-time record goalscorer, broke the deadlock from the penalty spot just after the half-hour mark. Matias Grez, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 While every pregnancy is different, experts say postpartum shedding usually begins two to three months after giving birth, often peaking around the fifth-month mark and stopping by month six. Brenda Della Casa, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024 The one-year mark in a child’s life is a big milestone as kids leave the baby stage and officially enter the toddler stage. Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 Though relatively new, Okyere hopes to grow and create a more prominent mark on the fashion world. Cordell Jones, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 While the mattress had a burn mark, there was no handgun projectile found anywhere in the bedroom, police said. The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 Ukraine recaptured it last summer, in the high-water mark of a counteroffensive that not only failed to achieve a breakthrough, but left the Russians in a strong enough position to start pushing back across the southern front. Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Verb
The call was to alert Ryan Redfearn about that package marked potassium cyanide that had arrived at Summerbrook Dental — allegedly addressed and later given to James Craig. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2024 Saturday night marked the Wave’s first official match since its 1-0 loss to Seattle in the NWSL semifinals on Nov. 5, also in Mission Valley. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024 The 2023-2024 season marked the warmest winter on record for the lower 48 states, according to NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information. Whitney Wild, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Some celebrations have already begun, including in places like Kolkata and Hyderabad, India, where processions marking the festivals have already taken place. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 March 23 marks the official beginning of Diva Week — a week invented by the internet (but which should be internationally recognized) commemorating the birthdays of some of the most iconic singers of our time. Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024 Saturday marked his first NHL game in San Jose, as the Blackhawks (19-46-5) looked to close their California swing on a high note after losses in Los Angeles and Anaheim earlier this week. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024 The Greenwich Meridian is marked by a stone runway. Emefa Addo Agawu, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024 Slated to hit digital streaming platforms at midnight on March 29, the superstar’s new set marks the culmination of her foray into country music. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English mearc boundary, march, sign; akin to Old High German marha boundary, Latin margo

Verb

Middle English, from Old English mearcian; akin to Old High German marcōn to mark, determine the boundaries of, Old English mearc boundary

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English marc, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse mǫrk mark; akin to Old English mearc sign

Noun (3)

Latin Marcus

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mark was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near mark

Cite this Entry

“Mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mark. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mark

1 of 4 noun
1
a
: a noticeable object serving as a guide for travelers
b
: something (as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position
high-water mark
c
: something aimed at : target
d
: the starting line or position in a track event
e
: an object of ridicule
f
: a standard of performance, quality, or condition
not up to the mark
2
a
: something that gives evidence of something else : sign, indication
a mark of friendship
b
: an impression (as a scar, scratch, or stain) made on a surface
c
: a characteristic or distinguishing trait or quality
d
: a cross made in place of a signature
e
: a written or printed symbol
f
: a symbol (as a brand or label) used for identification (as of ownership or quality)
g
: a symbol (as a number or letter) representing a teacher's estimation of the quality of work or conduct : grade
3
a
: importance, distinction
stands out as a person of mark
b
: a lasting or strong impression
worked at several jobs but didn't make much of a mark

mark

2 of 4 verb
1
a
: to fix or trace out the bounds of by or as if by a mark
b
: to set apart by a boundary
mark off a tennis court
2
a
: to designate as if by a mark
marked for greatness
b
: to make a mark or notation on
c
: to furnish with natural marks
wings marked with white
d
: to label so as to indicate price or quality
3
a
: to make note of in writing : jot
marking the date in a journal
b
: to indicate by a mark or symbol
mark an accent
c
: to determine the value of by means of marks : grade
mark exam papers
4
: to be an important characteristic of : characterize, distinguish
a disease marked by fever
5
: to take notice of : observe
mark my words

mark

3 of 4 noun

Mark

4 of 4 noun
: the second Gospel in the New Testament see bible
Etymology

Noun

Old English mearc "boundary"

Noun

Old English marc "a unit of weight"; probably of Scandinavian origin

Medical Definition

mark

noun
1
: a narrow deep hollow on the surface of the crown of a horse's incisor tooth that gradually becomes obliterated by the wearing away of the crown and therefore is indicative of the animal's age and usually disappears from the lower central incisors about the sixth year while traces may remain in the upper until the eleventh
2
: an impression or trace made or occurring on something see birthmark, strawberry mark
3
: a cut (as an ear notch) made on livestock for identification
marked adjective

Legal Definition

mark

1 of 2 noun
1
: a character usually in the form of a cross or X that is made as a substitute for a signature by a person who cannot write his or her name
2
: a character, device, label, brand, seal, or other sign put on an article or used in connection with a service especially to show the maker or owner, to certify quality, or for identification:
a

mark

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of
a landowner marking his boundary
2
: to affix a significant identifying mark (as a trademark) to

More from Merriam-Webster on mark

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