noun

branding

/ˈbrændɪŋ/ · say it: BRAN·ding

shaping how a company is perceived by the public

In Business & Marketing

In more detail

1. (noun) the practice of creating a name, design, and image for a product or company to make it different from others

2. (noun) the act of marking something with a hot iron to show ownership

Examples

1. Strong branding helped the company become one of the most recognized in the world.
2. Cattle branding is a common practice on ranches.

How to use branding

Branding primarily refers to the strategic creation and management of a company's or product's public image and market identity in modern business contexts. The historical meaning of branding as literal marking with a hot iron is still used in ranching and heritage contexts but is far less common in contemporary English. It emphasizes differentiation and consumer perception.

Common phrases

brand identity
brand awareness
brand loyalty
corporate branding
personal branding
branding strategy

Synonyms

marketing · positioning · trademark · identity · labeling

Word family

brand (noun, verb) · branded (adjective) · brander (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse branding with advertising; branding is the creation of identity and perception, while advertising is promotion of that brand to audiences.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD