endorse

verb en·dorse \ in-ˈdȯrs , en- \

variants: or less commonly indorse play \in-ˈdȯrs\

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of endorse

endorsed; endorsing

1 a : to write on the back of; especially : to sign one's name as payee on the back of (a check) in order to obtain the cash or credit represented on the face

b : to inscribe (one's signature) on a check, bill, or note

c : to inscribe (something, such as an official document) with a title or memorandum

d : to make over to another (the value represented in a check, bill, or note) by inscribing one's name on the document

e : to acknowledge receipt of (a sum specified) by one's signature on a document

2 a : to approve openly

endorse an idea

; especially : to express support or approval of publicly and definitely

endorse a mayoral candidate

b : to recommend (something, such as a product or service) usually for financial compensation

shoes endorsed by a pro basketball player

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endorsable

play \in-ˈdȯr-sə-bəl, en-\ adjective

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endorsee

play \in-ˌdȯr-ˈsē, ˌen-\ noun

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endorser

play \in-ˈdȯr-sər, en-\ noun

See endorse defined for English-language learners

See endorse defined for kids

Examples of endorse in a Sentence

The newspaper has endorsed the conservative candidate for mayor.
We do not endorse their position.
She endorses a line of clothing.
That brand of sneaker is endorsed by several basketball stars.
You must endorse the check before you deposit it in the bank.

Recent Examples of endorse from the Web

Bryce, endorsed by liberals like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and NARAL Pro-Choice America, faces a Democratic primary challenge from Janesville teacher Cathy Myers.

— Washington Post, "As Ryan steps aside, Democrat “Iron Stache” feels a tailwind," 11 Apr. 2018
Now Democrats and Republicans will be rushing to salvage parts of what was once sweeping crime-reduction legislation endorsed by Gov. Larry Hogan and lawmakers to help reduce violence in Baltimore.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Crime, guns are among unresolved issues on final day of Maryland's legislative session," 9 Apr. 2018
But will Scott, who chaired a pro-Trump Super PAC and has been all-but-endorsed by the president, be able to escape all the consequences of being tied to an unpopular, ruling-party president?

— david smiley and alex daugherty, miamiherald, "Bill Nelson has never been tested like this. But neither has Rick Scott. | Miami Herald," 9 Apr. 2018
These clauses can be invoked if an athlete causes controversy and damages his or her brand and, by extension, damages the image of companies endorsed by the athlete.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Conor McGregor Faces 12 Criminal Charges Following UFC 223 Media Day Altercation," 6 Apr. 2018
Ballot measures endorsed by the committee are scheduled to move to the full commission beginning on April 16.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Offshore drilling combined with vaping in ballot measure proposal," 5 Apr. 2018
Roughly 45 percent of this year’s spots featuring her were played there, with the biggest single sponsor being the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super-political action committee endorsed by House Republicans.

— john mccormick, Bloomberg.com, "Republicans Put Target on Pelosi in Fight to Control Congress," 4 Apr. 2018
The golf simulator in the community’s amenities center, endorsed by the PGA Tour, uses a three-track camera with advanced swing video analysis and 73 simulated courses.

— stacey altherr, WSJ, "The Ultimate Golf Fantasy Home," 4 Apr. 2018
Brandel was endorsed by a group of Lake Country School parents who are concerned about the direction the school board has been heading.

— alec johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Shrednick, write-in candidate Brandel win seats on Lake Country School Board," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'endorse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of endorse

alteration of obsolete endoss, from Middle English endosen, from Anglo-French endosser, to put on, don, write on the back of, from en- + dos back, from Latin dorsum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

endorse Synonyms

Phrases

go in for, go to bat for, hold a brief for, stand up for, stick up for;

Synonym Discussion of endorse

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of. approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

- the parents approve of the marriage

endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

- publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction implies both approval and authorization.

- the President sanctioned covert operations

accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

- the board voted to accredit the college
- must be certified to teach

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

ENDORSE Defined for English Language Learners

endorse

verb

Definition of endorse for English Language Learners

: to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something)
: to publicly say that you like or use (a product or service) in exchange for money
: to write your name on the back of (a check)

ENDORSE Defined for Kids

endorse

verb en·dorse \ in-ˈdȯrs \

Definition of endorse for Students

endorsed; endorsing

1 : to show support or approval for

endorse an idea

2 : to sign the back of to receive payment

endorse a check

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endorsement

\-mənt\ noun

Law Dictionary

endorse

transitive verb en·dorse

variants: also indorse \in-ˈdȯrs\

legal Definition of endorse

endorsed also indorsed; endorsing also indorsing

1 : to write on the back of; especially : to sign one's name as payee on the back of (an instrument) in order to receive the cash or credit represented on the face

endorse a check

2 : to inscribe (as one's signature or a notation accompanied by one's signature) on an instrument (as a note or bill) especially to transfer or guarantee it

3 : to transfer (an instrument) to another by inscribing one's signature