imprinting

noun

im·​print·​ing ˈim-ˌprin-tiŋ How to pronounce imprinting (audio)
im-ˈprin-
: a rapid learning process that takes place early in the life of a social animal (such as a goose) and establishes a behavior pattern (such as recognition of and attraction to its own kind or a substitute)

Examples of imprinting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Fundamental viscosity data are reported using a ball penetration technique, and subsequently employed to demonstrate the fabrication of micro-optical devices by thermal imprinting. Gairika Mitra, Interesting Engineering, 27 June 2024 The worry is that if people receive annual COVID-19 boosters, like health officials recommend for influenza, immune imprinting could make the population vulnerable when a new coronavirus, or even another similar virus, starts to spread again, the researchers said. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 May 2024 Researchers from Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis evaluated the ability of the COVID-19 shots to build up memory in the immune system through a process called immune imprinting. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 May 2024 The fear is that this imprinting then undermines efforts to protect an individual against evolved versions of that pathogen — that a vaccine targeting the latest variant of SARS-2 will preferentially boost antibodies to the original version of the virus, which is now long gone. Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imprinting 

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imprinting was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near imprinting

Cite this Entry

“Imprinting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprinting. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

imprinting

noun
im·​print·​ing ˈim-ˌprint-iŋ How to pronounce imprinting (audio)
im-ˈprint-
: a rapid learning process that takes place early in the life of a social animal (as a goose) and that results in the formation of a special way of behaving (as knowing and being attracted to one's own kind)

Medical Definition

imprinting

noun
im·​print·​ing ˈim-ˌprint-iŋ, im-ˈ How to pronounce imprinting (audio)
1
: a rapid learning process that takes place early in the life of a social animal (as a greylag goose) and establishes a behavior pattern (as recognition of and attraction to its own kind or a substitute)
2
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