brand-name

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbran(d)-ˈnām 

1

: of or relating to a brand name

brand-name products

2

: having a well-known and usually highly regarded or marketable name

brand-name authors

the … party lacks brand-name guests or good food

—Ryan Lizza

brand name

2 of 2

noun

1

: an arbitrarily adopted name that is given by a manufacturer or merchant to an article or service to distinguish it as produced or sold by that manufacturer or merchant and that may be used and protected as a trademark

2

: one having a well-known and usually highly regarded or marketable name

Examples of brand-name in a Sentence

Noun

The drug is sold under several brand names.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many have gotten around that by tweaking dosages or adding ingredients so that their products are considered different enough from the brand-name drugs. —Naomi Kresge, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

She’s talked and answered questions in venues as diverse as brand-name universities and local Rotary clubs and at least one senior living home near UCI’s campus. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026

Noun

Otezla The only weird aspect of this one is the choice to actually use a real brand name rather than creating some other fake Skyrizi competitor. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2026

These drugs—which include Wegovy and Ozempic (brand names for semaglutide) as well as Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide)—mimic a naturally occurring hormone to help reduce your appetite and manage blood sugar. —Julia Sullivan, Allure, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brand-name

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe

Legal Definition

brand name

noun

: trade name