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

With their trademark charm, Sinatra and Davis inquire about their drink choice. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Dec. 2024

The design and name are trademarks of CIC Ventures, the group that is also behind Trump's sneakers, which include gold high tops with an American flag emblazoned on the side. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

Hungry Jack’s, a Burger King franchise in Australia—the name Burger King had already been trademarked by a local restaurant—is one of the largest fast-food chains in Australia, by both store count and revenue, which Cowin grew from a single store in Perth to over 440 stores today. —Jennifer Wells, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

In this ribbon, designed and trademarked by the MBC nonprofit Metavivor, green represents the triumph of spring over winter, life over death; teal symbolizes healing and spirituality; and a thin pink-ribbon overlay signifies that cancer that originated in the breast. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined above

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.