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REFERENCE

impression

n.
US //ˌɪmˈpɹɛʃən// UK //ɪmpɹˈɛʃən// im·pres·sion
  1. 1 physical mark (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a mark made by pressing something onto a surface.

    a physical indentation or depression produced by the pressure of one object on or into another.

    Example

    The heavy boots left a deep impression in the soft mud of the garden.

    Example

    The forensic team carefully took a plaster cast of the boot impression found near the broken window.
  2. 2 vague memory (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a feeling that something is true or a vague memory of something, even if you are not sure.

    a vague or indistinct notion, belief, or recollection of an event.

    Example

    I have the impression that we have met somewhere before, but I cannot remember where.

    Example

    The witness had the distinct impression that a second vehicle was involved, though she could not provide a specific description.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'under the impression'.
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  1. 3 digital ad view (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    an instance of an advertisement or a post being shown on a screen.

    a metric representing a single instance of a digital advertisement or content being displayed to a user.

    Example

    The social media post reached over ten thousand impressions in just one hour.

    Example

    While the campaign generated a high number of impressions, the actual click-through rate remained disappointingly low.

    Usage

    Usually plural in marketing contexts.

    Teacher's tip

    Distinguish this from 'reach', which counts unique users rather than total views.
  2. 4 printing run (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal

    all the copies of a book printed at one time.

    a set of copies of a publication printed at one time from the same type or plates.

    Example

    The first impression of the novel sold out within days of its release.

    Example

    Bibliophiles often distinguish between the first and second impressions of a first edition based on minor typographical corrections.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern publishing, 'printing' is more common than 'impression' for general learners.
Origin

From Old French impression, from Latin impressio. Equivalent to impress + -ion.

Word family

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