impression

UK: /ɪmˈprɛʃ^ən/ US: /ɪmˈprɛʃən/ ,(im presh′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pres•sion /ɪmˈprɛʃən/   n. [countable]

1. a strong effect produced on the mind, feelings, or sense:
   What were your impressions of Denmark after living there a year?
2. an image in the mind caused by something external:
   the impression of sadness from a painting.
3. a somewhat vague awareness:
   a general impression of distant voices.
4. a mark produced by pressure:
   The dog's paws made cute little impressions in the sand.
5. Show Business an imitation of a famous person by an entertainer.

Idioms

6. be under the impression, [~ + (that) clause] to have the (perhaps mistaken) opinion, belief, or feeling that:
   I was under the impression that you were working for him.

See -press-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pres•sion  (im presh′ən), n. 

1. a strong effect produced on the intellect, feelings, conscience, etc.
2. the first and immediate effect of an experience or perception upon the mind;
   sensation.
3. the effect produced by an agency or influence.
4. a notion, remembrance, belief, etc., often of a vague or indistinct nature:
   He had a general impression of lights, voices, and the clinking of silver.
5. a mark, indentation, figure, etc., produced by pressure.
6. an image in the mind caused by something external to it.
7. the act of impressing;
   state of being impressed.
8. Dentistry a mold taken, in plastic materials or plaster of Paris, of teeth and the surrounding tissues.
9. Show Business an imitation of the voice, mannerisms, and other traits of a person, esp. a famous person, as by an entertainer:
   The comedian did a hilarious impression of the president.
10. [Chiefly Print.]
    • Printing the process or result of printing from type, plates, etc.
    • Printing a printed copy from type, a plate, an engraved block, etc.
    • Printing one of a number of printings made at different times from the same set of type, without alteration (distinguished from edition).
    • Printing the total number of copies of a book, pamphlet, etc., printed at one time from one setting of type or from one set of plates.
11. Metallurgy a portion of a die having in reverse the intended form of an object to be forged.

• Latin impressiōn- (stem of impressiō), equivalent. to impress(us) (see impress¹) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English impressio(u)n 1325–75

im•pres′sion•al, adj. 
im•pres′sion•al•ly, adv. 
im•pres′sion•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. impact, imprint.
• 4. feeling.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

impression / ɪmˈprɛʃən/ noun

1. an effect produced in the mind by a stimulus; sensation: he gave the impression of wanting to help
2. an imprint or mark produced by pressing
3. a vague idea, consciousness, or belief: I had the impression we had met before
4. a strong, favourable, or remarkable effect
5. the act of impressing or the state of being impressed
6. the act, process, or result of printing from type, plates, etc
7. one of a number of printings of a publication printed from the same setting of type with no or few alterations
   Compare edition2
8. the total number of copies of a publication printed at one time
9. an imprint of the teeth and gums, esp in wax or plaster, for use in preparing crowns, inlays, or dentures
10. an imitation or impersonation: he did a funny impression of the politician

imˈpressional adjective

imˈpressionally adverb