imprimatur
noun
im·pri·ma·tur
ˌim-prə-ˈmä-ˌtu̇r 
im-ˈpri-mə-ˌtu̇r
im-ˈpri-mə-ˌtu̇r
-ˌtyu̇r
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Imprimatur means "let it be printed" in New Latin. It comes from Latin imprimere, meaning to "imprint" or "impress." In the 1600s, the word appeared in the front matter of books, accompanied by the name of an official authorizing the book's printing. In time, English speakers began using imprimatur in the general sense of "official approval."
Examples of imprimatur in a Sentence
He gave the book his imprimatur.
could not begin the project without the boss's imprimatur
Recent Examples on the Web
The imprimatur of science made its mark on U.S. laws.
—
Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024
Having such imprimaturs opened doors to embassies and in cities and towns around the world.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
This could be just the beginning of more questionable climate claims on meat and dairy packaging that come with the imprimatur of environmental groups.
—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
This feels like a moment manufactured for him, as Las Vegas furthers the polishing of its image with the imprimatur of the N.F.L., which has made a seminal turn of its own with a public embrace of the gambling industry.
—Billy Witz Sinna Nasseri, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
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Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024
Having such imprimaturs opened doors to embassies and in cities and towns around the world.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
This could be just the beginning of more questionable climate claims on meat and dairy packaging that come with the imprimatur of environmental groups.
—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
This feels like a moment manufactured for him, as Las Vegas furthers the polishing of its image with the imprimatur of the N.F.L., which has made a seminal turn of its own with a public embrace of the gambling industry.
—Billy Witz Sinna Nasseri, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for imprimatur
Dictionary Entries Near imprimatur
Cite this Entry
“Imprimatur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprimatur. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imprimatur
noun
im·pri·ma·tur
ˌim-prə-ˈmä-tu̇(ə)r
: official approval (as to print or publish)
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