# trademark

/ˈtɹeɪdˌmɑɹk/ (US) · /tɹˈeɪdmɑːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trademark
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. legal brand protection

noun · CEFR B2

a name, symbol, or design that a company uses to identify its products and stop others from copying them.

For teachers: a legally registered sign, design, or expression which identifies products or services of a particular source from those of others.

- The company's famous logo is a registered trademark that no one else can use.
- The corporation filed a lawsuit alleging that the competitor's new logo was a clear infringement of their established trademark.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'register', 'infringe', or 'protect'.

### 3. distinctive or signature

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

describing something that is very typical of a certain person.

For teachers: serving as a distinctive or identifying characteristic of a person or thing.

- He walked onto the stage wearing his trademark leather jacket.
- The comedian delivered the punchline with his trademark dry wit, prompting immediate laughter from the audience.

### 4. to register a brand

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to officially register a name or symbol so that other people cannot use it.

For teachers: to register a particular name, design, or phrase as a trademark to secure exclusive legal rights.

- They decided to trademark the new slogan before launching the advertising campaign.
- The startup moved quickly to trademark their unique software architecture name to prevent copycats in the emerging market.

Usage: This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- The company registered its logo as a trademark.
- The actor's trademark grin appeared on every movie poster during the summer blockbuster season.
- While the legal team defended the company's trademark against infringement, the marketing department focused on making the brand's aesthetic a trademark of modern luxury.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.