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

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which represents brand-name drugmakers, spent nearly $38 million on lobbying last year, up 22 percent from 2024 and the highest annual total on record. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026

Riddle has been a mainstay at the tennis grand slam tournaments for the last several years, styling designer and brand-name looks while supporting partner Taylor Fritz in his player’s box. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026

Noun

Teflon, for example, the brand name for a type of polymer made up of carbon and fluorine, is commonly used in cookware because its low reactivity makes the material non-stick. —Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026

The most important factor is how well a shoe fits your foot and stride, rather than the brand name. —Maggie Slepian, Outside, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1887, 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