impression
noun
im·pres·sion
im-ˈpre-shən
1
: the effect produced by impressing: such as
a
: an especially marked and often favorable influence or effect on feeling, sense, or mind
Her words made a strong impression on me.
My first impression of them is that they are kind people.
b
: a stamp, form, or figure resulting from physical contact
c
: an imprint of the teeth and adjacent portions of the jaw for use in dentistry
2
: an often indistinct or imprecise notion or remembrance
It was my impression that they were coming here first.
I was under the impression [=I thought] that admission was free.
3
a
: a telling image impressed on the senses or the mind
a lifestyle that gives an impression of wealth
Looking over the steep hills, the first impression is of an immense void like the sea …—Richard Jefferies
b
: an effect of alteration or improvement
The settlement left little impression on the wilderness.
c
: a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence
the impression on behavior produced by the social milieu
4
: an imitation or representation of salient features in an artistic or theatrical medium
especially
: an imitation in caricature of a noted personality as a form of theatrical entertainment
does a great impression of the president
5
: the act of impressing: such as
a
: an affecting by stamping or pressing
b
: a communicating of a mold, trait, or character by an external force or influence
6
: page view
especially
: an instance in which a specific element (such as an advertisement) is displayed on a web page accessed by a user
The company has been delivering more ad impressions through its family of apps, and … advertisers are spending more money on its platform. —Harsh Chauhan
Although many consumers have never heard of ad tech firms, people's online activity is influenced every day by these companies as they battle for a share of ad impressions on phones, tablets, and laptops. —Claire Ballentine
7
a
: the amount of pressure with which an inked printing surface deposits its ink on the paper
b
: one instance of the meeting of a printing surface and the material being printed
also
: a single print or copy so made
c
: all the copies (as of a book) printed in one continuous operation from a single makeready
8
a
: the first coat of color in painting
b
: a coat of paint for ornament or preservation
Cite this Entry
“Impression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impression. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.
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