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

There’s some murkiness about where the recipe originated; both baking brands While Lily and Martha White claim to have pioneered the beloved bread. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024

These events or activations are designed to immerse participants in a brand's world—whether through pop-up installations, interactive displays or live demonstrations. —Astrid Pocklington, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Verb

The Madness has been branded as a limited series, so whether it will be renewed is still uncertain. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

This is likely about branding and attracting ambitious individuals who value access, mentorship, and purpose over immediate financial gain. —Soo Kim, Newsweek, 30 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