mark

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈmärk 

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

mark

2 of 4

verb

marked; marking; marks

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

3 of 4

noun (2)

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 13 shillings and 4 pence

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

Mark

4 of 4

noun (3)

ˈmärk 

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 gospel entry 1 sense 1) in the New Testament see Bible Table

2

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

Phrases

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• butt
• derision
• jest
• joke
• laughingstock
• mock
• mockery
• sport
• target

Verb

• label
• tag
• ticket

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of mark in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web

Noun

Twelve days later The ambulance had come to a stop where a dark spot resembling a scorch mark first appeared in satellite imagery taken at 10:21 a.m. on Jan. 30 — the morning after contact with the paramedics and Hind were lost. —Cate Brown, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024

In concluding with a 21-61 mark, the Hornets accumulated the franchise’s fewest wins since 2012-13. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2024

Despite already being available to rent and buy at home, Kung Fu Panda 4 continued to make its mark on the box office by earning another $5.5 million towards its $173 million total ($452 million globally). —Shania Russell, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2024

Having earned hundreds of five-star ratings, this wreath gets high marks for its vibrancy. —Leonora Epstein, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

But with the war in Ukraine dragging into its second year after Russia’s invasion and the civilian death toll rising in Gaza after Israel’s assault after the terror attack by Hamas, voters gave Mr. Trump significantly higher marks on his handling of foreign conflicts. —Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Maybe State would eclipse the program’s previous high-water mark, a Sweet 16 appearance 14 years ago. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024

The perfect homestand mark matches a 7-0 showing in 1988 and an 8-0 stand in 1985. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024

Among the 30 IPOs, 15 raised at least $100 million—two crossed the $1 billion mark—but only about one-third finished the quarter with shares above initial prices. —María Soledad Davila Calero, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

The performance will mark Bruno Mars’ return to Los Angeles after a six-year hiatus. —Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024

At the end of the tour, visitors can mark the occasion by purchasing some homemade preserves or Balmoral whisky from the Mews Gift Shop - or perhaps some tweed, which might last a lot longer. —Billy Stockwell, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Biden's message marks a sharp change in his administration's steadfast support for Israel's war efforts, with the U.S. leader for the first time threatening to rethink his backing if Israel doesn't change its tactics and allow much more humanitarian aid into Gaza. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Apr. 2024

The death of #1950 marked the 40th death in the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event (UME) impacting North Atlantic right whales, according to the NOAA. —John Deem, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

Many street spaces are marked for 15 to 30 minutes only, but don’t park in those spots and expect to rush in and out of Rosemarie’s. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

His role in Kid's story emerges, shakily, in the last section of the film, but until then, his phony radiance and pious pronouncements mark him as a power-mad serpent who can't be trusted. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024

World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés pushed back against the Israeli explanation yesterday, noting that their convoys were clearly marked and their movements were in coordination with the military. —NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024

The call was to alert Ryan Redfearn about that package marked potassium cyanide that had arrived at Summerbrook Dental — allegedly addressed and later given to James Craig. —Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Verb

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

Noun (2)

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

Noun (3)

Latin Marcus

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mark

• accent mark
• mark out
• miss its/the mark
• near the mark
• D-mark
• close to the mark
• overstep the mark/line
• Plimsoll mark
• quotation mark
• reference mark
• black mark
• deutsche mark
• beauty mark
• mark my words
• chop mark
• check mark
• bench mark
• collective mark
• hash mark
• hit the mark
• mark you
• German mark
• mark down
• a question mark over
• identifying mark/feature
• failing grade/mark
• punctuation mark
• high-water mark
• chatter mark
• ditto mark
• off the mark
• space mark
• certification mark
• quick/slow off the mark
• service mark
• question mark
• find one's mark/target
• mark up
• staccato mark
• strawberry mark
• short of the mark
• up to the mark
• stress mark
• on your mark
• wide of the mark
• ripple mark
• mark time
• toe the mark
• percent mark
• make one's mark

Kids Definition

mark

1 of 4 noun

ˈmärk 

1

a

: a noticeable object serving as a guide for travelers

b

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

high-water mark

c

: something aimed at : target

d

: the starting line or position in a track event

e

: an object of ridicule

f

: a standard of performance, quality, or condition

not up to the mark

2

a

: something that gives evidence of something else : sign, indication

a mark of friendship

b

: an impression (as a scar, scratch, or stain) made on a surface

c

: a characteristic or distinguishing trait or quality

d

: a cross made in place of a signature

e

: a written or printed symbol

f

: a symbol (as a brand or label) used for identification (as of ownership or quality)

g

: a symbol (as a number or letter) representing a teacher's estimation of the quality of work or conduct : grade

3

a

: importance, distinction

stands out as a person of mark

b

: a lasting or strong impression

worked at several jobs but didn't make much of a mark

mark

2 of 4 verb

1

a

: to fix or trace out the bounds of by or as if by a mark

b

: to set apart by a boundary

mark off a tennis court

2

a

: to designate as if by a mark

marked for greatness

b

: to make a mark or notation on

c

: to furnish with natural marks

wings marked with white

d

: to label so as to indicate price or quality

3

a

: to make note of in writing : jot

marking the date in a journal

b

: to indicate by a mark or symbol

mark an accent

c

: to determine the value of by means of marks : grade

mark exam papers

4

: to be an important characteristic of : characterize, distinguish

a disease marked by fever

5

: to take notice of : observe

mark my words

mark

3 of 4 noun

: deutsche mark

Mark

4 of 4 noun

ˈmärk 

: the second Gospel in the New Testament see bible

Etymology

Noun

Old English mearc "boundary"

Noun

Old English marc "a unit of weight"; probably of Scandinavian origin

Medical Definition

mark

noun

ˈmärk 

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

Legal Definition

mark

1 of 2 noun

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

mark

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of

a landowner marking his boundary

2

: to affix a significant identifying mark (as a trademark) to