# watermark

/ˈwɔtɝˌmɑɹk/ (US) · /wˈɔːtəmˌɑːk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/watermark
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a mark or pattern that appears on a digital image or document to show that it is a copy. It is often used to protect the original work from being stolen.

For teachers: a visible or invisible mark or pattern embedded in a digital file to identify its source or ownership. Often used in the context of copyright protection or to indicate that a file has been altered.

## Examples

- The photo has a small watermark in the corner.
- The photographer added a transparent watermark to every image before uploading them to the public gallery.
- Digital watermarking allows creators to embed unique identifiers within audio and video files without affecting the overall quality, providing a legal trail for intellectual property disputes.

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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.