watermark

1 of 2

noun

wa·​ter·​mark ˈwȯ-tər-ˌmärk 

ˈwä-

1

: a mark indicating the height to which water has risen

2

: a marking in paper resulting from differences in thickness usually produced by pressure of a projecting design in the mold or on a processing roll and visible when the paper is held up to the light

also : the design of or the metal pattern producing the marking

watermark

2 of 2

verb

watermarked; watermarking; watermarks

transitive verb

1

: to mark (paper) with a watermark

2

: to impress (a given design) as a watermark

Examples of watermark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2008 and 2010 — is the high watermark. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

Escapist but never lightweight, Downton Abbey is a high watermark for British costume dramas — which is really saying something. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026

Verb

Mildred is now taking steps to watermark her videos, website and urging you to watch out, too. —Frankie McLister, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

There could be new hope on the horizon, however, in the form of an authentication system that watermarks videos using fluctuations in the on-location lighting. —New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for watermark

• disembark
• matriarch
• meadowlark
• patriarch
• arc
• ark
• bark
• barque
• dark
• hark
• lark
• marc

Kids Definition

watermark

1 of 2 noun

wa·​ter·​mark ˈwȯt-ər-ˌmärk 

ˈwät-

1

: a mark that shows the height to which water has risen

2

: a mark (as the maker's name or trademark) made in paper during manufacture and visible when the paper is held up to the light

watermark

2 of 2 verb

: to mark with a watermark