Definition

1. Noun:

   • A type or kind of product, or the name given to it by its maker: A "brand" is a particular product or the company that makes it, often recognized by its name, logo, or design.
   • A mark burned on the skin of an animal or person: Historically, a "brand" is a permanent mark made by burning the skin with a hot iron, used to show ownership or as a punishment.
   • A mark of disgrace or shame: A "brand" can be a symbol of a bad reputation or a lasting stain on someone's character.
   • A piece of burning or charred wood: In older or poetic language, a "brand" can refer to a burning piece of wood, like a torch.

2. Verb:

   • To mark with a hot iron: To "brand" means to burn a permanent mark onto the skin of an animal or person.
   • To give a product a brand name: To "brand" a product is to give it a specific name and identity to sell it.
   • To describe someone in a negative and lasting way: To "brand" a person is to label them with a bad reputation or a specific negative characteristic.

Examples

• Noun:

  • This is my favorite brand of coffee. (This is the specific kind of coffee I like best.)
  • The cattle have the ranch's brand on their flank. (The cows have the ranch's ownership mark burned on their side.)
  • The scandal left a brand on his career. (The scandal left a permanent stain on his professional reputation.)

• Verb:

  • The rancher will brand the new calves tomorrow. (The rancher will mark the new calves with a hot iron.)
  • They decided to brand their new line of clothing as eco-friendly. (They decided to market their new clothes as being good for the environment.)
  • The media branded him a traitor. (The news publicly labeled him as a person who betrays his country.)

Advanced Usage

• "Brand identity": The collection of all elements that a company creates to portray the right image to its consumer.
  • The company's brand identity is built on simplicity and innovation.
• "Brand loyalty": When consumers consistently choose to buy the same brand.
  • The car manufacturer enjoys incredible brand loyalty from its customers.
• "To be branded with something": To be permanently marked or associated with something, often negative.
  • He was branded with the shame of his failure.

Variants and Related Words

• Branding (n): The process of creating a brand identity.
  • The product's success was due to clever branding.
• Brand-new (adj): Completely new.
  • She drove a brand-new car. (Note: This is a common compound adjective.)

Synonyms

• Noun (for product): Make, label, marque, trademark.
• Noun (for mark): Stamp, seal, stigma.
• Verb (to label): Label, stigmatize, denounce, mark.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Brand as: To publicly describe someone as having a particular quality, especially a bad one.
  • He was branded as a liar by his opponents.

Related Idioms

• A brand from the burning: Someone or something rescued from a dire situation, especially from ruin or sin. (Literary/archaic)
  • The reformed criminal was seen as a brand from the burning.

Noun

1. a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
2. a symbol of disgrace or infamy
   • And the Lord set a mark upon Cain--Genesis
3. a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
4. identification mark on skin, made by burning
5. a recognizable kind
   • there's a new brand of hero in the movies now
   • what make of car is that?
6. a name given to a product or service

Verb

1. mark or expose as infamous
   • She was branded a loose woman
2. mark with a brand or trademark
   • when this product is not branded it sells for a lower price
3. to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
   • He denounced the government action
   • She was stigmatized by society because she had a child out of wedlock
4. burn with a branding iron to indicate ownership; of animals