imprint

verb

im·print | \ im-ˈprint,

ˈim-ˌprint\

imprinted; imprinting; imprints

Definition of imprint

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to mark by or as if by pressure : impress

2a : to fix indelibly or permanently (as on the memory)

b : to subject to or induce by imprinting an imprinted preference

intransitive verb

: to undergo imprinting

imprint

noun

im·print | \ ˈim-ˌprint

Definition of imprint (Entry 2 of 2)

: something imprinted or printed: such as

a : a mark or depression made by pressure the fossil imprint of a dinosaur's foot

b : an identifying name (as of a publisher) placed conspicuously on a product also : the name under which a publisher issues books

c : an indelible distinguishing effect or influence

Other Words from imprint Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about imprint

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Synonyms for imprint

Synonyms: Verb

brand, engrave, etch, impress, infix, ingrain (also engrain)

Synonyms: Noun

trace, track, trail

Examples of imprint in a Sentence

Verb

wearing a T-shirt imprinted with the company logo a picture imprinted in my memory

Noun

We saw an imprint of a bike tire on the dirt trail. a fossil imprint of a dinosaur's foot

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Some of the panels are a little out there, such as a drive to imprint the Golden Rule on Arizona license plates, but mostly the parliament resembles a colorful religious bazaar, with mandalas, shofars and whirling dervishes. — Gordon Mehler, WSJ, "Common Ground for a Wiccan and a Rabbi?," 1 Nov. 2018 The designers used dead trees from the surrounding landscape to imprint the concrete house with a textured pattern. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Concrete house blends into the woods with black exterior, green roof," 10 Aug. 2018 The perfect logo is there, not just on the building’s façade but now imprinted on charming disposable cloth cocktail napkins that tear off a roll. — Steven Stolman, Town & Country, "A Clear-Eyed Assessment of the New Four Seasons—By Someone Who Loved the Old One," 7 Sep. 2018 Image As the smoky scent of grilling filled the afternoon air, Anthony Graciolett sidled up to the blue food cart with the crossed kebabs imprinted on its side and ordered a hot dog with sauerkraut. — New York Times, "In Astoria, Lining Up for the Souvlaki Lady," 13 June 2018 Sunglasses were lined in feathers, bags imprinted with more jewels. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, "Dolce & Gabbana’s Como Chameleons: Naomi Campbell, Halima Aden, and Maye Musk Model Alta Moda in Italy," 6 July 2018 The spirits of place are the echoes of people, of events, of ideas which have become imprinted upon a location, for better or for worse. — Longreads, "The Top 5 Longreads of the Week," 29 June 2018 After the subject had been in place for a few minutes, the image was imprinted on the plate and could be turned into a photograph using heated mercury vapor. — Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, "'Haunting' faces of 'ghosts' reappear in world's oldest photos," 10 July 2018 His love of literature is (literally) imprinted on his body. — Clarissa Sebag-montefiore, New York Times, "Andy Griffiths, the Down-Under Kids’ Author Known for His Butt Jokes, Now Builds and Builds on His Hit ‘Treehouse’ Series," 9 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Ecco is an imprint of HarperCollins, which, like The Wall Street Journal, is owned by News Corp . — Erich Schwartzel, WSJ, "Netflix Opens Eyes in Hollywood as ‘Bird Box’ Soars," 7 Jan. 2019 The cookbook was published in 2016 by ECCO, which is the same imprint Forbes says will publish the forthcoming biography. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "An Anthony Bourdain Biography Is In The Works," 27 June 2018 More importantly, the matchup is another Republican display of Trump’s sometimes-confusing imprint on the party. — Bill Barrow, The Seattle Times, "Things to Know: Trump looms over Tuesday’s primaries," 25 June 2018 With a catalog that extends beyond traditional superhero fare to include science fiction, horror and fantasy books, Vertigo was the imprint for both creators and readers unafraid to experiment. — Tracy Brown, latimes.com, "DC's Vertigo to relaunch with new name, logo and seven comic-book series," 7 June 2018 There was an imprint of Irene's petticoat found on the banks of the canal and a partial heel print from a man's shoe. — CBS News, "Inside the trial of former priest charged with 1960 murder of Texas schoolteacher," 27 Jan. 2018 From Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies), curated by Scarlett Curtis, to be published in the United States by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. — Olivia Perez, Glamour, "10 Essential Ways to Support the Women in Your Life Right now," 2 Oct. 2018 Common teams up with fellow Chicago native Kanye West, who offers a feature and his soulful imprint on the production. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "32 Hits That Surprisingly Make Great Thanksgiving Songs," 20 Nov. 2018 VI marks a new partnership between the band and AWAL on their new Underdog Records imprint. — Dave Brooks, Billboard, "You Me at Six Signs With ICM Partners for North American Representation," 25 June 2018

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

History and Etymology for imprint

Verb

Middle English emprenten, from Anglo-French emprient, 3rd singular of enpreindre to impress (from Latin imprimere) & empreinter, from emprent, past participle of enpreindre

Noun

Middle English enpreent, from Anglo-French emprente, from feminine of emprent, past participle of enpreindre

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