brand
BRAND
Brand (noun) means a name, symbol, or identity that marks a product or company and distinguishes it from competitors. Example: “A strong brand makes a small bakery easy to recognise on a busy high street.”
noun
1
A name, symbol, or identity that marks a product or company and distinguishes it from competitors.
"A strong brand makes a small bakery easy to recognise on a busy high street."
"The company spent millions building its brand."
"Consumers often pay more for a trusted brand."
2
A particular make or type of product.
"Which brand of washing powder do you usually get from the supermarket?"
"She only buys one brand of coffee."
"This brand of trainers is popular with runners."
3
A mark burned into skin or hide with a hot iron, especially to show ownership of livestock.
"You could still see the faded brand on the old horse's flank."
"The rancher checked the brand on the stray cow."
"Every calf on the ranch gets a brand within its first year."
verb
1
To mark permanently with a hot iron, or to label someone unfairly with a lasting reputation.
"Don't brand all teenagers as lazy just because a few of them are."
"The scandal branded him as untrustworthy for years."
"Cattle are branded so ranchers can identify them."
How to use brand
Learner’s notes
Common mistake
In business contexts, "brand" is the identity and reputation; a "trademark" is the specific legally protected name or logo.
Common pairings
brand name
brand new
build a brand
branded goods
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like brand.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- brands
- Third person singular
- brands
- Past tense
- branded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A strong _____ makes a small bakery easy to recognise on a busy high street.
Etymology
From Old English brand, meaning "fire" or "burning torch" — the sense of a company's identity is a modern extension of the older idea of marking ownership with fire.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for brand
See all rhymes for brand →Frequently asked questions
What does “brand” mean?
The word “brand” means a name, symbol, or identity that marks a product or company and distinguishes it from competitors.
How do you pronounce “brand”?
“Brand” is pronounced BRAND (/ˈbɹænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “brand” in a sentence?
Here is “brand” used in a sentence: “The company spent millions building its brand.”
What part of speech is “brand”?
Depending on how it is used, “brand” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “brand” come from?
The word “brand” comes from Old English. From Old English brand, meaning "fire" or "burning torch" — the sense of a company's identity is a modern extension of the older idea of marking ownership with fire.
Is “brand” a common word?
“Brand” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “brand” have?
“Brand” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a name, symbol, or identity that marks a product or company and distinguishes it from competitors.
What is the difference between a brand and a logo?
A logo is the visual mark — the symbol, wordmark, or emblem that identifies a company at a glance. A brand is the whole identity behind it: the name, reputation, values, tone, and the feelings people attach to the product. The logo is just one visible piece of the much larger thing that is the brand.
What is the difference between a brand and a trademark?
A brand is the overall identity of a product or company as customers experience it. A trademark is the legal protection registered for a specific brand element — a name, logo, or slogan — that stops others from copying it. In short, a brand is a marketing idea, while a trademark is its legal shield.
Why is branding important?
Branding helps a product stand out in a crowded market and be remembered. It builds recognition and trust, encourages loyalty and repeat custom, and lets a company charge more than for an unbranded rival. A clear brand also guides the business itself, keeping its messages, look, and behaviour consistent wherever customers meet it.
What makes a strong brand?
A strong brand is instantly recognisable, consistent across everything it touches, and clear about what it stands for. It keeps its promise to customers, so people know what to expect and come to trust it. Distinctive names, colours, and tone help, but lasting strength comes from reputation built through reliable experience over time.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include brand:
