imprimatur

American  

[im-pri-mah-ter, im-prim-uh-ter, im-pri-mey-ter] / ˌɪm prɪˈmɑ tər, ˌɪmˈprɪm ə tər, ˌɪm prɪˈmeɪ tər /

noun

1. an official license to print or publish a book, pamphlet, etc., especially a license issued by a censor of the Roman Catholic Church.

2. sanction or approval; support.

   Our plan has the company president's imprimatur.

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imprimatur British  

/ -ˈmɑː-, ˌɪmprɪˈmeɪtə /

noun

1. RC Church a licence granted by a bishop certifying the Church's approval of a book to be published

2. sanction, authority, or approval, esp for something to be printed

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Etymology

Origin of imprimatur

First recorded in 1630–40; from New Latin: literally, “let it be printed,” Latin: literally, “let it be made by pressing upon (something)”; impress ¹

Example Sentences

It got a $7 billion subsidy from Washington, and it got the federal government’s imprimatur to sell cellular plans to first responders, a business now worth billions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

Even with the power of the White House and the imprimatur of a U.N.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2026

Additionally, by verifying and describing the leak, Noem essentially rebroadcasted it — this time with a louder megaphone and the imprimatur of the United States.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2025

It comes with Stanford’s official imprimatur; the opening remarks will be delivered by its freshly appointed president, Jonathan Levin, an economist who took office Aug. 1.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2024

Well-known quotations embody both of these things: they come with the imprimatur both of ancient derivation, and of the many people who, by passing it on, in some way are understood to have endorsed it.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith