brand

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a charred piece of wood
c
: something (such as lightning) that resembles a firebrand
2
: sword
3
a(1)
: a mark made by burning with a hot iron to attest manufacture or quality or to designate ownership
(2)
: a printed mark made for similar purposes : trademark
b(1)
: a mark put on criminals with a hot iron
(2)
: a mark of disgrace : stigma
the brand of poverty
4
a
: a class of goods identified by name as the product of a single firm or manufacturer : make
b
: a characteristic or distinctive kind
a lively brand of theater
d
: a public image, reputation, or identity conceived of as something to be marketed or promoted
Future political offices or appointments appear out of the question now, so he is focusing on rebuilding his brand in Hollywood …Elizabeth McNeil et al.
The comedian Dane Cook apparently believes he is building his brand by pumping out a steady stream of comments on Twitter …Daniel Lyons
5
: a tool used to produce a brand

brand

2 of 2

verb

branded; branding; brands

transitive verb

1
: to mark with a brand
2
: to mark with disapproval : stigmatize
he was branded a coward
3
: to impress indelibly
brand the lesson on his mind
brander noun

Examples of brand in a Sentence

Noun What brand are those jeans you are wearing? The store sells a variety of shoe brands. I don't like his brand of humor. a lively brand of theater Verb They no longer brand their cattle. The exact words my father spoke on my graduation day are branded in my memory.
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
Without regulation, brands must decide where to draw the line. Jason Snyder, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 This shift ensures our brand stays dynamic, relevant and audience-focused as digital ecosystems evolve. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, an ally and duly elected leader of a nation under attack by a dictatorship, disagreed with the U.S. president, so he was branded a dictator himself. Penny Abeywardena, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025 The Manhattan district attorney’s office has charged Mr. Mangione with first-degree murder, a charge that brands him as a terrorist, as well as weapons charges and two variations of second-degree murder. Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brand

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, torch, sword, from Old English; akin to Old English bærnan to burn

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brand was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Brand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brand. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

brand

1 of 2 noun
1
: a burnt or burning piece of wood
2
a
: a mark made by burning (as on cattle) to show ownership, maker, or quality
b
: a printed mark made for similar purposes : trademark
3
a
: a mark once put on criminals with a hot iron
b
: a mark of disgrace : stigma
4
a
: a class of goods identified as the product of a single maker
b
: a particular kind : variety

brand

2 of 2 verb
1
: to mark with or as if with a brand
2
: to describe or identify with a word that expresses disapproval
was branded a coward

More from Merriam-Webster on brand

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