impression
noun
im·pres·sion
im-ˈpre-shən 
1
: the effect produced by impressing: such as
a
: an especially marked and often favorable influence or effect on feeling, sense, or mind
b
: a stamp, form, or figure resulting from physical contact
c
: an imprint of the teeth and adjacent portions of the jaw for use in dentistry
2
: an often indistinct or imprecise notion or remembrance
3
a
: a telling image impressed on the senses or the mind
b
: an effect of alteration or improvement
The settlement left little impression on the wilderness.
c
: a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence
the impression on behavior produced by the social milieu
4
: an imitation or representation of salient features in an artistic or theatrical medium
especially
: an imitation in caricature of a noted personality as a form of theatrical entertainment
5
: the act of impressing: such as
a
: an affecting by stamping or pressing
b
: a communicating of a mold, trait, or character by an external force or influence
6
: page view
especially
: an instance in which a specific element (such as an advertisement) is displayed on a web page accessed by a user
Although many consumers have never heard of ad tech firms, people's online activity is influenced every day by these companies as they battle for a share of ad impressions on phones, tablets, and laptops. —
Claire Ballentine
Claire Ballentine 7
a
: the amount of pressure with which an inked printing surface deposits its ink on the paper
b
: one instance of the meeting of a printing surface and the material being printed
also
: a single print or copy so made
c
: all the copies (as of a book) printed in one continuous operation from a single makeready
8
a
: the first coat of color in painting
b
: a coat of paint for ornament or preservation
Examples of impression in a Sentence
The candidate made a favorable impression.
My first impression of him was that he was a kind and thoughtful young man.
First impressions are important but can be misleading.
In her journal, she recorded her impressions of the city.
Her kindness left a lasting impression on her students.
I got the distinct impression that they didn't mean to stay long.
Recent Examples on the Web
The scientists, led by fossil track specialist Conner Bennett, used advanced 3D imaging techniques to identify and analyze four sets of vertebrate trace fossils, including impressions left behind by prehistoric birds, mammals, lizards and invertebrates.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Chido Obi has made such an impression in fleeting senior cameos that not registering the 17-year-old for the Europa League could be regarded as an oversight.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
These seemingly small steps create the impression that someone is home and hopefully help prevent your house from becoming a target.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
According to the legal docs, Diddy’s team believes the clip was tampered with to make the violence appear more intense, and the sequence of events was reordered to give a misleading impression of Cassie being dragged into a hotel room.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impression
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Chido Obi has made such an impression in fleeting senior cameos that not registering the 17-year-old for the Europa League could be regarded as an oversight.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
These seemingly small steps create the impression that someone is home and hopefully help prevent your house from becoming a target.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
According to the legal docs, Diddy’s team believes the clip was tampered with to make the violence appear more intense, and the sequence of events was reordered to give a misleading impression of Cassie being dragged into a hotel room.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impression
Cite this Entry
“Impression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impression. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impression
noun
im·pres·sion
im-ˈpresh-ən
1
: the act or process of impressing
2
a
: something (as a design or a footprint) made by pressing or stamping
b
: something that impresses or is impressed on one's mind
those words made a strong impression
the candidate made a good impression
3
: a memory or belief that is vague or uncertain
it's my impression that you don't have to go
4
: an imitation of a famous person done for entertainment
Medical Definition
impression
noun
im·pres·sion
im-ˈpresh-ən
1
: an imprint in plastic material of the surfaces of the teeth and adjacent portions of the jaw from which a likeness may be produced in dentistry
2
: an especially marked influence or effect on the senses or the mind
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