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

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 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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 Dating back to 2007, West began to gather his vision for his debut fashion imprint. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, "Kanye West's Scrapped Pastelle Line Was 'His University for Fashion'," 10 July 2018 Other projects Simmons is busy working on include the first book for his new imprint, Simmons Books. — Kathy Cichon, chicagotribune.com, "Gene Simmons to make solo concert appearance at Arcada," 19 Apr. 2018 Ridley launched his first American Way series in 2006 with artist Georges Jeanty for DC's Wildstorm imprint. — Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, "John Ridley Tackling Comic Book Movie 'American Way' for Blumhouse," 16 Apr. 2018 At the start, white Brunello Cucinelli linen and fresh Apple Watch imprint. — Marisa Meltzer, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Latest Travel Trend? Super Sabbaticals," 24 Dec. 2018 Some closed or downsized Spanish-language imprints after sales fell short of expectations during the Great Recession, and as the industry struggled to adjust to the Amazon era that squeezed traditional booksellers. — Alexandra Olson, The Seattle Times, "Moms start companies to fill demand for Spanish-language children’s books," 4 Dec. 2018 Sure, there are legendary rappers who have carved out a much bigger sonic and cultural imprint. — Stereo Williams, Billboard, "Drake's 2018 Has Been Huge. But Is He the Biggest Rapper Ever?," 13 July 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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