trademark

[ treyd-mahrk ]

noun

1. any name, symbol, figure, letter, word, or mark adopted and used by a manufacturer or merchant in order to designate specific goods and to distinguish them from those manufactured or sold by others. A trademark is proprietary and is usually registered with the Patent and Trademark Office to assure its exclusive use by its owner or licensee.
2. a distinctive mark or feature particularly characteristic of or identified with a person or thing (often used attributively):

   her trademark wit and sarcasm.

verb (used with object)

1. to stamp or otherwise place a trademark designation upon.
2. to register the trademark of.

trademark

/ ˈtreɪdˌmɑːk /

noun

1. the name or other symbol used to identify the goods produced by a particular manufacturer or distributed by a particular dealer and to distinguish them from products associated with competing manufacturers or dealers. A trademark that has been officially registered and is therefore legally protected is known as a Registered Trademark
2. any distinctive sign or mark of the presence of a person or animal

verb

1. to label with a trademark
2. to register as a trademark

Word History and Origins

Origin of trademark¹

First recorded in 1565–75; trade + mark ¹

Example Sentences

He trademarked the term “blue zone” in the United States in 2005.

From Science Magazine

The family behind Koda Farms rice licensed its trademarks to Western Foods.

From Los Angeles Times

He continued to pressure his opponent in the second round, hurting Miocic with a body kick and landing a knee from the clinch, before the former champion responded with a trademark straight right.

From BBC

Dressed in his trademark all black, he strutted to the ring sporting the same stern look he has had all week.

From BBC

She does a lot of these inspirational talks, and “Master of Me” has a bit of that trademark cheerleader energy — a unique blend of dishy, behind-the-scenes tell-all and conversational wisdom.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brand
• label
• stamp