mark

noun \ ˈmärk \

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: mark in a Sentence

Definition of mark

1 : a boundary land

2 a (1) : a conspicuous object serving as a guide for travelers

(2) : something (such as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position

b : one of the bits of leather or colored bunting placed on a sounding line at intervals

c : target

d : the starting line or position in a track event

e (1) : goal, object

(2) : an object of attack, ridicule, or abuse; specifically : a victim or prospective victim of a swindle

(3) : the point under discussion

(4) : condition of being correct or accurate

her observations are on the mark

f : a standard of performance, quality, or condition : norm

not feeling up to the mark lately

3 a (1) : sign, indication

a mark of his esteem

(2) : an impression (such as a scratch, scar, or stain) made on something

(3) : a distinguishing trait or quality : characteristic

the marks of an educated person

b : a symbol used for identification or indication of ownership

c : a cross made in place of a signature

d (1) : trademark

(2) capitalized —used with a numeral to designate a particular model of a product

Mark II

e : a written or printed symbol (such as a comma or colon)

f : postmark

g : a symbol used to represent a teacher's estimate of a student's work or conduct; especially : grade

h : a figure registering a point or level reached or achieved

the halfway mark in the game

; especially : record

4 a : attention, notice

nothing worthy of mark

b : importance, distinction

a person of mark

c : a lasting or strong impression

d : an assessment of merits : rating

high marks for honesty

Recent Examples of mark from the Web

The couple is also responsible for their own food, clothing, entertainment and bedding, and though there's a resupply trip at the three-month mark, they will be otherwise cut off from the mainland during this period.

— katherine lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "Volunteers Wanted: Spend 6 Months in Charge of a Remote Tasmanian Island," 18 Jan. 2017
Texans are feeling the bite of winter this weekend with some places not even reaching the freezing mark.

— brett barrouquere, Houston Chronicle, "Yeah, it's cold, for the moment," 7 Jan. 2017
The Dow Jones industrial average traded within 1 point of the record 20,000 mark.

— ana swanson, Washington Post, "U.S. added 156,000 jobs in December; wage growth picked up," 6 Jan. 2017
In Lombardi’s nine seasons in Green Bay, the Packers won five NFL titles, including the first two Super Bowls, and posted an 89-29-4 mark.

— Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "Giants-Packers playoffs lore is more than red-faced Coughlin," 5 Jan. 2017
This has made its mark, with only 65 percent of millennials owning such cards, compared to 83 percent of baby boomers and 78 percent of generation Xers.

— Houston Chronicle, "Debit Card Usage Increasing," 29 Dec. 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of mark

Middle English, from Old English mearc boundary, march, sign; akin to Old High German marha boundary, Latin margo

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of mark

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

- encouraging signs for the economy

mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

- a mark of a good upbringing

token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

- this gift is a token of our esteem

note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

- a note of irony in her writing

symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

- rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

mark

verb

Definition of mark

transitive verb

1 a (1) : to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of

(2) : to plot the course of : chart

b : to set apart by or as if by a line or boundary —usually used with off

2 a (1) : to designate as if by a mark

(2) : to make or leave a mark on

(3) : to furnish with natural marks

wings marked with white

(4) : to label so as to indicate price or quality

(5) : to make notations in or on

b (1) : to make note of in writing : jot

marking the date in his journal

(2) : to indicate by a mark or symbol

mark an accent

(3) : register, record

(4) : to determine the value of by means of marks or symbols : grade

mark term papers

c (1) : characterize, distinguish

the flamboyance that marks her style

(2) : signalize

this year marks our 50th anniversary

3 : to take notice of : observe

mark my words

4 : to pick up (one's golf ball) from a putting green and substitute a marker

intransitive verb

: to take careful notice

— mark time

1 : to keep the time of a marching step by moving the feet alternately without advancing

2 : to maintain a static state of readiness

See mark defined for English-language learners

Examples of mark in a Sentence

Any little bit of dirt will mark that fabric.
Be careful not to mark the floor with your shoes.
mark an accent on a letter
She marked an “X” on each box.
I have marked the event on my calendar.
She marked each box with an “X.”
X marks the spot where the suspect was last seen.
Use a bookmark to mark your place.
We put some tape on the floor to mark where the tables should go.
The dog marked the base of the tree by urinating.

Recent Examples of mark from the Web

Fifty Years Ago Church of the Lighted Window marked its 70th birthday on April 9, 1967.

— carol cormaci, La Cañada Valley Sun, "La Cañada History: Paradise Canyon student repeats big win at county spelling bee," 4 Apr. 2017
Officially, this national holiday marks the anniversary of the First Fleet of British settlers arriving in New South Wales in 1788.

— mark ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "Celebrate Australia Day 2017 With Chris Hemsworth," 26 Jan. 2017
The fundraising gala was the opening event for the 75th Commemoration of the Pearl Harbor attack and marked the 10th anniversary for the Pacific Aviation Museum.

— Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii's News Leader, "Island Images: December 2016," 26 Dec. 2016
The first Friday of the month marks the first formal day of operation for Bar Elixrs, Chinatown’s newest watering hole.

— star-advertiser staff, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "Bar Elixrs enters Chinatown scene," 29 Nov. 2016
But in naming Hussein crown prince early, Abdullah had hoped to avoid the confusion and anxiety in the kingdom that marked his father’s last days.

— jeffrey goldberg, The Atlantic, "The Modern King in the Arab Spring," 19 Feb. 2014

Origin and Etymology of mark

Middle English, from Old English mearcian; akin to Old High German marcōn to mark, determine the boundaries of, Old English mearc boundary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

mark Synonyms

Synonyms

label, tag, ticket;

Related Words

caption, earmark, hallmark, stamp;

call, designate, identify, name, tab;

entitle, style, term, title;

brand, stigmatize;

mark

noun

Definition of mark

1 : any of various old European units of weight used especially for gold and silver; especially : a unit equal to about eight ounces (248 grams)

2 : a unit of value:

a : an old English unit equal to 13s 4d

b : any one of various old Scandinavian or German units of value; specifically : a unit and corresponding silver coin of the 16th century worth ¹/₂ thaler

c (1) : deutsche mark

(2) : the basic monetary unit of East Germany replaced in 1990 by the West German deutsche mark

d : markka

Origin and Etymology of mark

Middle English, from Old English marc, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse mǫrk mark; akin to Old English mearc sign

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Mark

noun \ ˈmärk \

Definition of Mark

1 a : an early Jewish Christian traditionally identified as the writer of the Gospel of Mark — called also John Mark

b : the second Gospel (see ¹gospel 1) in the New Testament — see Bible Table

2 : a king of Cornwall, uncle of Tristram, and husband of Isolde

See Mark defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of mark

Latin Marcus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Bible Terms

antediluvian, apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth

MARK Defined for English Language Learners

mark

verb

Definition of mark for English Language Learners

: to make or leave a visible mark on (something)
: to write or make (a mark)
: to write a note about (something)

MARK Defined for Kids

mark

noun \ ˈmärk \

Definition of mark for Students

1 : a blemish (as a scratch or stain) made on a surface

There were tire marks on the lawn.

2 : a written or printed symbol

a punctuation mark

3 : something that shows that something else exists : sign, indication

They traded T-shirts as a mark of friendship.

4 : something aimed at : target

… he missed his mark and delivered a good clout to Mig's nose instead.
—Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

5 : a grade or score showing the quality of work or conduct

He gets good marks in school.

6 : something designed or serving to record position

high-water mark

7 : the starting line of a race

mark

verb

Definition of mark for Students

marked; marking

1 : to indicate a location

He marked his place in the book.

2 : to set apart by a line or boundary

We tried to mark off a baseball diamond.

3 : to make a shape, symbol, or word on

I'll mark the top with a cross.

4 : to decide and show the value or quality of : grade

Teachers mark tests.

5 : to be an important characteristic of

The disease is marked by fever.

6 : to take notice of

You'll be sorry, mark my words.

—

marker

noun

Medical Dictionary

mark

noun \ ˈmärk \

medical Definition of mark

1 : a narrow deep hollow on the surface of the crown of a horse's incisor tooth that gradually becomes obliterated by the wearing away of the crown and therefore is indicative of the animal's age and usually disappears from the lower central incisors about the sixth year while traces may remain in the upper until the eleventh

2 : an impression or trace made or occurring on something — see birthmark, strawberry mark

3 : a cut (as an ear notch) made on livestock for identification

—

marked

adjective

Law Dictionary

mark

noun

legal Definition of mark

1 : a character usually in the form of a cross or X that is made as a substitute for a signature by a person who cannot write his or her name

2 : a character, device, label, brand, seal, or other sign put on an article or used in connection with a service especially to show the maker or owner, to certify quality, or for identification:

a : trademark

b : service mark