imprimatur
noun
im·pri·ma·tur
ˌim-prə-ˈmä-ˌtu̇r
im-ˈpri-mə-ˌtu̇r
-ˌtyu̇r
1
2
a
: a license to print or publish especially by Roman Catholic episcopal authority
b
: approval of a publication under circumstances of official censorship
Did you know?
Imprimatur means “let it be printed” in New Latin (the Latin used since the end of the medieval period especially in science). 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.”
Cite this Entry
“Imprimatur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprimatur. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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