imprint

1 of 2

verb

im·​print im-ˈprint  ˈim-ˌprint 

imprinted; imprinting; imprints

transitive verb

1

: to mark by or as if by pressure : impress

2

a

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

Her grandchild's lovely face is imprinted in her mind.

b

: to subject to or induce by imprinting

an imprinted preference

intransitive verb

: to undergo imprinting

imprinter

im-ˈprin-tər 

ˈim-ˌprin-

noun

imprint

2 of 2

noun

im·​print ˈim-ˌprint 

: 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

was determined to leave her imprint on the organization

Synonyms of imprint

Verb

• etch
• engrave
• brand

Noun

• trail
• footprint
• trace
• track
• residue

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

Fort Worth Zoo To prevent the chick from imprinting on humans, zookeepers used reflective shields, protective clothing and even an adult eagle puppet during feedings to mimic natural conditions and reinforce species-specific behaviors. —Sergio Candido, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

The room’s furniture remains eerily static, while their bodies’ movements leave traces imprinted around the frame. —Sammy Loren, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Noun

Sisters in Yellow by Mieko Kawakami is available from Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House. —Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026

New athletic director Kevin White has begun putting his imprint on Charlotte’s program less than a month after taking the job, moving on from Fearne and bringing in Miller. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing imprint

• put one's imprint on

Rhymes for imprint

• blueprint
• footprint
• misprint
• newsprint
• nonprint
• preprint
• reprint
• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• lint

Kids Definition

imprint

1 of 2 verb

im·​print im-ˈprint 

ˈim-ˌ

1

: to mark by or as if by pressure : stamp

2

: to fix firmly (as on the memory)

3

: to go through the process of imprinting

imprint

2 of 2 noun

im·​print ˈim-ˌprint 

1

: something imprinted or printed : impression

the imprint of a hippo's foot

2

: a publisher's name on the title page of a book

Medical Definition

imprint

transitive verb

im·​print im-ˈprint  ˈim-ˌ 

1

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

2

: to subject to or induce by imprinting

an imprinted preference

a gene imprinted to be inactive when inherited from the mother

intransitive verb

: to undergo imprinting

imprinter

-ər 

noun