imprimatur
noun
im·pri·ma·tur
ˌim-prə-ˈmä-ˌtu̇r 
im-ˈpri-mə-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.”
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
And his imprimatur is key, because unlike the other plans, Grand Penn’s vision requires one big change — moving Madison Square Garden across the street.
—
Robert Yaro, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2014 Scientific American reduced its network of bloggers, many of whom were nonjournalists that posted on scientific topics under the magazine’s imprimatur, cutting off an avenue that Epstein may have hoped to use.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
For Kalshi, the imprimatur of CNN and CNBC could go a long way.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
With or without the imprimatur of Congress, the matter will likely be decided in court, though no lawsuits have yet been filed over the most recent round of challenges to the ownership rules.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imprimatur
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Robert Yaro, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2014 Scientific American reduced its network of bloggers, many of whom were nonjournalists that posted on scientific topics under the magazine’s imprimatur, cutting off an avenue that Epstein may have hoped to use.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
For Kalshi, the imprimatur of CNN and CNBC could go a long way.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
With or without the imprimatur of Congress, the matter will likely be decided in court, though no lawsuits have yet been filed over the most recent round of challenges to the ownership rules.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imprimatur
Cite this Entry
“Imprimatur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprimatur. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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