trademark

1 of 2

noun

trade·​mark ˈtrād-ˌmärk 

1

: a device (such as a word) pointing distinctly to the origin or ownership of merchandise to which it is applied and legally reserved to the exclusive use of the owner as maker or seller

2

: a distinguishing characteristic or feature firmly associated with a person or thing

wearing his trademark bow tie and derby hat

trademark

2 of 2

verb

trademarked; trademarking; trademarks

transitive verb

: to secure trademark rights for : register the trademark of

Synonyms

Noun

• brand

Examples of trademark in a Sentence

Noun

“Kleenex” is a registered trademark.

Outspokenness has always been his trademark.

Courtesy is the company's trademark.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pat Riley’s three-peat trademarks could have led to the Miami Heat president getting a sizable payday if the Kansas City Chiefs had won their third consecutive Super Bowl. —Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025

For the occasion, the Grammy winner wore a vintage Patrick Kelly dress featuring gold button embroidery — a trademark of the late American designer. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025

Verb

It was created for a campaigning Mexican governor in 1987 at Los Arcos restaurant in Mazatlán, where it’s trademarked. —Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

Though the company had trademarked the name in June 2020, many viewers are displeased with the lack of recognition for Karim. —Zoe Haylock, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trademark

• disembark
• matriarch
• meadowlark
• patriarch
• watermark
• arc
• ark
• bark
• barque
• dark
• hark
• lark

Kids Definition

trademark

noun

trade·​mark

ˈtrād-ˌmärk

1

: a device (as a word) that points clearly to the origin or ownership of merchandise to which it is applied and that is legally reserved for use only by the owner

2

: something that identifies a person or thing

trademark verb

Medical Definition

trademark

noun

trade·​mark ˈtrād-ˌmärk 

: a device (as a word or mark) that points distinctly to the origin or ownership of merchandise to which it is applied and that is legally reserved for the exclusive use of the owner compare service mark

Legal Definition

trademark

noun

trade·​mark ˈtrād-ˌmärk 

: a mark that is used by a manufacturer or merchant to identify the origin or ownership of goods and to distinguish them from others and the use of which is protected by law see also dilution, infringement, strong mark, weak mark, Trademark Act of 1946 compare copyright, patent, service mark

Note: The Patent and Trademark Office registers trademarks and service marks that are used in interstate commerce or in intrastate commerce that affects interstate commerce. There are also state registration statutes for marks used in intrastate commerce. A trademark or service mark need not be registered for an owner to enforce his or her rights in court. The common law recognizes ownership of a trademark, established by actual and first use of the mark, but it extends only to the areas or markets where the mark is used. Federal registration of a trademark gives rise to a federal cause of action for infringement in addition to the common-law claim. Registration also serves as evidence of the owner's exclusive right to the continuous use and validity of the mark, and as constructive notice to the world of the claim to the mark. To be a valid trademark at common law and for federal registration, a mark must be distinctive; a descriptive mark may become distinctive by acquiring secondary meaning.