brand

1 of 2

noun

ˈbrand 

1

a

: a charred piece of wood

b

: firebrand sense 1

c

: something (such as lightning) that resembles a firebrand

2

: sword

3

a(1)

: a mark made by burning with a hot iron to attest manufacture or quality or to designate ownership

(2)

: a printed mark made for similar purposes : trademark

b(1)

: a mark put on criminals with a hot iron

(2)

: a mark of disgrace : stigma

the brand of poverty

4

a

: a class of goods identified by name as the product of a single firm or manufacturer : make

b

: a characteristic or distinctive kind

a lively brand of theater

c

: brand name sense 2

d

: a public image, reputation, or identity conceived of as something to be marketed or promoted

Future political offices or appointments appear out of the question now, so he is focusing on rebuilding his brand in Hollywood …

—Elizabeth McNeil et al.

The comedian Dane Cook apparently believes he is building his brand by pumping out a steady stream of comments on Twitter …

—Daniel Lyons

5

: a tool used to produce a brand

brand

2 of 2

verb

branded; branding; brands

transitive verb

1

: to mark with a brand

2

: to mark with disapproval : stigmatize

he was branded a coward

3

: to impress indelibly

brand the lesson on his mind

brander noun

Synonyms of brand

Noun

• trademark
• label

Verb

• etch
• engrave
• imprint

Examples of brand in a Sentence

Noun

What brand are those jeans you are wearing?

The store sells a variety of shoe brands.

I don't like his brand of humor.

a lively brand of theater

Verb

They no longer brand their cattle.

The exact words my father spoke on my graduation day are branded in my memory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The movie further builds out the Star Wars brand, which is a part of Disney’s retail, streaming and amusement park arms. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 May 2026

Inspired, Starbucks eventually discovered Partanna®, a Sicilian extra-virgin olive oil brand that has crafted premium extra-virgin olive oil for more than 100 years. —Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

Verb

The upcoming runway show will highlight Italian creativity, craftsmanship, design research and distinct identity for Made in Italy brands across swimwear, resortwear, beachwear, fashion and accessories. —Footwear News, 26 May 2026

The Micron Technology Ink logo is displayed on a mobile phone with the company branding visible in the background, in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on December 14, 2025. —Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, torch, sword, from Old English; akin to Old English bærnan to burn

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brand

• brand-name
• brand-new
• co-brand
• leading brand
• name-brand
• off-brand
• on-brand
• own-brand
• store-brand

Rhymes for brand

• band
• banned
• bland
• canned
• fanned
• gland
• lande
• mande
• manned
• panned
• planned
• sande

Kids Definition

brand

1 of 2 noun

ˈbrand 

1

: a burnt or burning piece of wood

2

a

: a mark made by burning (as on cattle) to show ownership, maker, or quality

b

: a printed mark made for similar purposes : trademark

3

a

: a mark once put on criminals with a hot iron

b

: a mark of disgrace : stigma

4

a

: a class of goods identified as the product of a single maker

b

: a particular kind : variety

brand

2 of 2 verb

1

: to mark with or as if with a brand

2

: to describe or identify with a word that expresses disapproval

was branded a coward