branding

plural brandings

1. countableuncountableThe process in which a mark, usually a symbol or ornamental pattern, is burned into the skin of a living animal or person (usually a livestock animal).

   Punishment for theft was inflicted, either by fine, imprisonment, or hard labour, or by branding.

   1922, Maneckji Nusservanji Dhalla, Zoroastrian Civilization, page 115

   1 more example

   Tattoos, in particular, are not the radical brandings, the bold violations of flesh and propriety, they once were.

   2008 May 18, Mitch Keller, “Ink-Stained and Loving It”, in New York Times

2. countableuncountableThe promotion of a commercial brand of product or service in order to give it greater public awareness.

   Near-synonyms: marketing, promotion

   Synonyms: marketing, promotion

3. countableuncountableThe trade dress thus presented (trademarks, wordmarks, colorways, liveries, and so on).

   Near-synonym: labeling

   1 more example

   They are contractually obligated to remove all of our branding from the merchandise if they sell it to anyone else. That means they have to cut open the packages and then either sell the kitchenware in bulk or repackage it.

   Synonyms: labeling

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of brand