brand-name

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbran(d)-ˈnām 

1

: of or relating to a brand name

brand-name products

2

: having a well-known and usually highly regarded or marketable name

brand-name authors

the … party lacks brand-name guests or good food

—Ryan Lizza

brand name

2 of 2

noun

1

: an arbitrarily adopted name that is given by a manufacturer or merchant to an article or service to distinguish it as produced or sold by that manufacturer or merchant and that may be used and protected as a trademark

2

: one having a well-known and usually highly regarded or marketable name

Examples of brand-name in a Sentence

Noun

The drug is sold under several brand names.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Companies push brand-name blockbuster drugs to increase profits and then write off their advertising costs, sometimes to the tune of $1.5 billion. —Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

Connecticut Broadleaf is easier to cultivate and is used as filler tobacco in many brand-name cigars. —Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025

Noun

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones could soon be forced to stop airing his Infowars show and give up the company's property, including everything from desks and microphones to the Infowars brand name. —Tovia Smith, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025

For example, a novel might feature characters shopping at real retailers or dining at actual restaurant chains, while thriller writers incorporate authentic corporate settings and brand names to enhance realism. —Tom Freiling, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brand-name

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe

Legal Definition

brand name

noun

: trade name