1
: a boundary land
2
a(1)
: a conspicuous object serving as a guide for travelers
(2)
: something (such as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position
b
: one of the bits of leather or colored bunting placed on a sounding line at intervals
c
: target
d
: the starting line or position in a track event
f
: a standard of performance, quality, or condition : norm
not feeling up to the mark lately
3
a(1)
: sign, indication
a mark of his esteem
(2)
: an impression (such as a scratch, scar, or stain) made on something
(3)
: a distinguishing trait or quality : characteristic
the marks of an educated person
b
: a symbol used for identification or indication of ownership
c
: a cross made in place of a signature
d(1)
(2)
capitalized
—used with a numeral to designate a particular model of a product
Mark II
e
: a written or printed symbol (such as a comma or colon)
f
: postmark
g
: a symbol used to represent a teacher's estimate of a student's work or conduct
especially
: grade
h
: a figure registering a point or level reached or achieved
the halfway mark in the game
especially
: record
4
b
: importance, distinction
a person of mark
c
: a lasting or strong impression
d
: an assessment of merits : rating
high marks for honesty
marked; marking; marks
1
a(1)
: to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of
(2)
: to plot the course of : chart
b
: to set apart by or as if by a line or boundary
—usually used with off
2
a(1)
: to designate as if by a mark
(2)
: to make or leave a mark on
(3)
: to furnish with natural marks
wings marked with white
(4)
: to label so as to indicate price or quality
(5)
: to make notations in or on
c(1)
: characterize, distinguish
the flamboyance that marks her style
(2)
: signalize
this year marks our 50th anniversary
3
: to take notice of : observe
mark my words
4
: to pick up (one's golf ball) from a putting green and substitute a marker
: to take careful notice
1
: any of various old European units of weight used especially for gold and silver
especially
: a unit equal to about eight ounces (248 grams)
2
: a unit of value:
a
: an old English unit equal to 13 shillings and 4 pence
b
: any one of various old Scandinavian or German units of value
specifically
: a unit and corresponding silver coin of the 16th century worth ¹/₂ thaler
c(1)
(2)
: the basic monetary unit of East Germany replaced in 1990 by the West German deutsche mark
d
: markka
1
a
: an early Jewish Christian traditionally identified as the writer of the Gospel of Mark
called also John Mark
b
: the second Gospel (see gospel entry 1 sense 1) in the New Testament see Bible Table
2
: a king of Cornwall, uncle of Tristram, and husband of Isolde
Synonyms
Examples of mark in a Sentence
Noun (1)
in the wake of the scandal, the disgraced governor became the favorite mark of late-night comedians
his gullibility and tendency to fall for bluffs made him an easy mark at the poker table
a brand of crystal that bears the mark of excellence
lately his playing hasn't been up to the mark expected of a concert pianist
set marks for expected daily output
a sensitive expression that is the mark of a poet
a small mark where the car had scraped a wall
a person of some mark in the field of evolutionary biology
Verb
Any little bit of dirt will mark that fabric.
Be careful not to mark the floor with your shoes.
mark an accent on a letter
She marked an “X” on each box.
I have marked the event on my calendar.
She marked each box with an “X.”
X marks the spot where the suspect was last seen.
Use a bookmark to mark your place.
We put some tape on the floor to mark where the tables should go.
The dog marked the base of the tree by urinating.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
The author announced on social media on Nov. 5 that Addie LaRue crossed the 2 million copy mark in the U.S.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Jon Stojan, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Its pilot had run July 21, but this marked the beginning of its regular weekday programming.
1975: The cargo ship SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior during a storm, taking with it a crew of 29.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mark 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
Related Articles The retrospective marks the fourth in a series of exhibitions presented by the MOP Foundation president Marta Ortega Pérez, daughter of Inditex owner Amancio Ortega.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
The author announced on social media on Nov. 5 that Addie LaRue crossed the 2 million copy mark in the U.S.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
Its smart contract features have marked the beginning of a new era of functionality, making transactions more seamless and efficient for users worldwide.
—Jon Stojan, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Its pilot had run July 21, but this marked the beginning of its regular weekday programming.
1975: The cargo ship SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior during a storm, taking with it a crew of 29.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mark
Dictionary Entries Near mark
Cite this Entry
“Mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mark. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mark
1 of 4 noun1
a
: a noticeable object serving as a guide for travelers
b
: something (as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position
high-water mark
c
: something aimed at : target
d
: the starting line or position in a track event
e
: an object of ridicule
f
: a standard of performance, quality, or condition
not up to the mark
2
a
: something that gives evidence of something else : sign, indication
a mark of friendship
b
: an impression (as a scar, scratch, or stain) made on a surface
c
: a characteristic or distinguishing trait or quality
d
: a cross made in place of a signature
e
: a written or printed symbol
f
: a symbol (as a brand or label) used for identification (as of ownership or quality)
g
: a symbol (as a number or letter) representing a teacher's estimation of the quality of work or conduct : grade
3
a
: importance, distinction
stands out as a person of mark
b
: a lasting or strong impression
worked at several jobs but didn't make much of a mark
mark
2 of 4 verb1
a
: to fix or trace out the bounds of by or as if by a mark
b
: to set apart by a boundary
mark off a tennis court
2
a
: to designate as if by a mark
marked for greatness
b
: to make a mark or notation on
c
: to furnish with natural marks
wings marked with white
d
: to label so as to indicate price or quality
3
4
: to be an important characteristic of : characterize, distinguish
a disease marked by fever
5
: to take notice of : observe
mark my words
mark
3 of 4 nounEtymology
Noun
Old English mearc "boundary"
Noun
Old English marc "a unit of weight"; probably of Scandinavian origin
Medical Definition
mark
noun1
: a narrow deep hollow on the surface of the crown of a horse's incisor tooth that gradually becomes obliterated by the wearing away of the crown and therefore is indicative of the animal's age and usually disappears from the lower central incisors about the sixth year while traces may remain in the upper until the eleventh
2
: an impression or trace made or occurring on something see birthmark, strawberry mark
3
: a cut (as an ear notch) made on livestock for identification
marked
adjective
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