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

In his own spaces and in his products, Adler achieves an eclectic look by incorporating materials and techniques from around the world—and imprinting them with his personal touch. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "Here's How to Do Glam Interiors Right," 11 Mar. 2019 My dad had this incredible way of imprinting on us. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Erin Lee Carr Remembers Her Late Father—And Finds Her Own Voice—In All That You Leave Behind," 9 Apr. 2019 Above, these are some of the modern Valentino couture pieces that are imprinted in our minds, those that can only be described simply as magical. — Vogue, "16 of The Most Spectacular Valentino Couture Looks of All Time," 18 Jan. 2019 The Invites: The couple and Easton Events worked with Yonder Design to create their invitation suite backed in plush velvet, and imprinted with their monogram. — Kt Merry, Harper's BAZAAR, "From Dallas, With Love: This Texas Wedding Redefined Effortless Elegance," 7 Nov. 2018 The muscle memory of steering, brake, and throttle control will be imprinted early. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "The Polaris Ranger 150 EFI Is Like a Truck for Kids," 13 Feb. 2019 Boston’s offerings will be imprinted with vintage city maps depicting landmarks like Long Wharf and the State House. — Kara Baskin, BostonGlobe.com, "Need a new tote? Run this one up the flagpole.," 12 Apr. 2018 The book catapulted a shy, self-effacing man into a sudden spokesperson for the marginalized immigrant — and also imprinted him as the adventurous bad boy. — Evan Kleiman, latimes.com, "He may have had a bad boy persona, but Anthony Bourdain was lovely, loyal and so damn smart," 9 June 2018 Muderick is not interested in imprinting his ideas onto your sense of play. — Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "The Limitless Uses of Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty," 26 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In scene after scene, the show contemplates the imprints and, sometimes, the scars people leave on each other. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Family Values of Big Little Lies," 7 June 2019 Three major publishers—Simon & Schuster’s Scribner imprint, Skyhorse Publishing and Melville House—have committed to publishing special counsel Robert Mueller’s report as a physical book, even as it is expected to be available free on the internet. — Ben Kesling, WSJ, "Publishers Prepare Print Editions of Mueller Report," 17 Apr. 2019 The alterations bear the imprint of Jerome Powell, who became Fed chairman in February. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "Fed Looks to Pare Language Describing Future of Rates Policy," 2 Oct. 2018 Derek Bailey reissues London label Honest Jon's has been reissuing albums from Incus, the imprint run by pioneering guitar improviser Derek Bailey. — Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "Brown Girls writer Fatimah Asghar on Janelle Monae’s utopia for queer women of color," 5 Apr. 2018 The scars from those races have made Trump reluctant to weigh in on the race that Senate Republicans most want his imprint on right now: the contest to replace Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump dismisses midterm threat, alarming GOP," 28 Apr. 2018 For example, the Salisbury Cathedral in particular left an outsize imprint on the way pre-Reformation Roman Catholic Britons prayed, shaping what’s known as the Sarum Rite or Sarum Use — the Salisbury method of worship. — Lily Rothman, Time, "Meghan Markle Didn't Promise to 'Obey' Prince Harry in Her Vows. Her Decision Is Actually Part of a Long Tradition," 19 May 2018 Points 3, 6, and 8 are excerpts from The Art of Dressing Curves: The Best-Kept Secrets of a Fashion Stylist by Susan Moses, published by Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. — Lauren Chan, Glamour, "8 Tips This Stylist Learned From 20 Years of Dressing Curves," 24 Mar. 2019 Published by Crown Archetype, an imprint of Penguin Random House. — Aleeza Kazmi, Teen Vogue, "How Pastels and Crayons Taught Me to Love My Brown Skin," 22 Mar. 2019

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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