watermark

1 of 2

noun

wa·​ter·​mark ˈwȯ-tər-ˌmärk How to pronounce watermark (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
These watermarks are designed to withstand basic digital manipulation. Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 The photos, which as of Tuesday remained on her Instagram and X with no visible watermark, show her in white fur coat and slip dress, clutching a Chanel purse. Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Verb
OpenAI also watermarks images generated by its GPT-4o model. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 1 May 2025 Another precaution is to watermark financial documents with the buyer’s name and the date they were shared. Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for watermark

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of watermark was in 1577

Cite this Entry

“Watermark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watermark. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

watermark

1 of 2 noun
wa·​ter·​mark ˈwȯt-ər-ˌmärk How to pronounce watermark (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on watermark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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