brand

1 of 2

noun

ˈbrand 

1

a

: a charred piece of wood

b

: firebrand sense 1

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

c

: brand name sense 2

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

Synonyms

Noun

• trademark

Verb

• engrave
• etch
• impress
• imprint
• infix
• ingrain
• engrain

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

Noun

Organic whole carrot brands include products sold at Trader Joe's and Target: 365: 1, 2 and 3 lb. bags Bunny Luv: 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 lbs. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024

With comprehensive texts detailing the history of the brand, starting with the founder’s initial philosophy of using a team of creative stylists (of whom Karl Lagerfeld was the most famous) to bring her vision to life, this beautiful book charts seven decades of Chloe. —Emma Baxter-Wright, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Verb

He’s gotten under the skin of the government and been branded a domestic terrorist for his radical views. —Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024

Businesses previously geared toward a middle-aged audience might have to revamp their branding design to appeal to a younger, but still serious-minded, crowd. —Zaheer Dodhia, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing brand

• brand name
• brand-new
• co-brand
• leading brand
• name brand
• off-brand
• on brand
• own-brand
• store brand

Kids Definition

brand

1 of 2 noun

ˈbrand 

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