impress

im·press

Use impress in a sentence

This seal has been impressed onto a certificate.

noun

The definition of impress is the act of leaving a memorable or physical mark.
An example of an impress is a stamped design on a piece of paper.

verb

To impress is defined as to strongly affect someone or something or to leave a physical mark on something by using pressure.
1. An example of impress is to show off excellent swimming skills to new learners.
2. An example of impress is to put a stamp on an envelope.

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"impress." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/impress>.

APA Style

impress. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/impress

impress

to force (a person) into service, esp. into military or naval service
to levy, seize, or requisition (money, property, etc.), as for military use

Origin of impress

from in- + press

impressment

to use pressure on so as to leave a mark: to impress clay with a die
to mark by using pressure; stamp; imprint
to apply with pressure: to impress a die into clay
1. to have a marked effect on the mind or emotions of
2. to arouse the interest or approval of
to implant firmly in the mind or fix in the memory: with on or upon
Elec. to apply (a voltage or current) to a circuit or device, as from a generator

Origin of impress

Middle English impressen from Classical Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere: see imprint

the act of impressing
any mark, imprint, etc. made by pressure; stamp; impression
a distinctive quality or effect produced by some strong influence

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MLA Style

"impress." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/impress>.

APA Style

impress. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/impress

impress

transitive verb

im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es

To affect strongly, often favorably: wrote down whatever impressed me during the journey; was impressed by the child's sincerity.
To produce or attempt to produce a vivid impression or image of: a scene that impressed itself on her memory; parents that impress the value of money on their children.
To mark or stamp with pressure: impressed the wax with a design.
To apply with pressure; press: impressed the stamp onto the wax.

noun

The act of impressing: a design left by impress of a seal.
A mark or pattern of influence produced by someone or something; an impression: a politician who left her impress on foreign policy.
A stamp or seal meant to be impressed.

Origin of impress

Middle English impressen to imprint from Old French empresser from Latin impressus past participle of imprimere in- in ; see in- ². premere to press ; see per-⁴ in Indo-European roots.

transitive verb

im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es

To compel (a person) to serve in the military, particularly in the naval forces, especially by seizure.
To seize (property) by force or authority, especially for military purposes; confiscate.
Law To impose a constructive trust or a lien upon property, as a matter of equity, to protect a person without legal title but with a legally recognized interest.

noun

Impressment.

Origin of impress

in- ² press ² ( influenced by obsolete imprest advance on a soldier's pay )

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"impress." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/impress>.

APA Style

impress. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/impress

Verb

(third-person singular simple present impresses, present participle impressing, simple past and past participle impressed)

To affect (someone) strongly and often favourably.
You impressed me with your command of Urdu.
(intransitive) To make an impression, to be impressive.
Henderson impressed in his first game as captain.
To produce a vivid impression of (something).
That first view of the Eiger impressed itself on my mind.
To mark or stamp (something) using pressure.
We impressed our footprints in the wet cement.
To produce (a mark, stamp, image, etc.); to imprint (a mark or figure upon something).
(figuratively) To fix deeply in the mind; to present forcibly to the attention, etc.; to imprint; to inculcate.
To compel (someone) to serve in a military force.
The press gang used to impress people into the Navy.
To seize or confiscate (property) by force.
The liner was impressed as a troop carrier.

Noun

(plural impresses)

The act of impressing
An impression, and impressed image or copy of something
A stamp or seal used to make an impression
An impression on the mind, imagination etc.

Related terms

Origin

From Middle English impressen, from Latin impressus, perfect passive participle of imprimere (“to press into or upon, stick, stamp, or dig into”), from in (“in, upon”) + premere (“to press”).

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