[count] 1 : the effect or influence that something or someone has on a person's thoughts or feelings
▪ Her words made a strong impression (on us). ▪ The candidate made a favorable/positive/good/bad impression. ▪ What was your impression of the candidate? [=what did you think of the candidate?] ▪ My first impression of him was that he was a kind and thoughtful young man. ▪ First impressions are important but can be misleading. ▪ In her journal, she recorded her impressions of the city. ▪ Her kindness left a lasting impression on her students. ▪ I was trying to make an impression. = I was trying to make a good impression. ▪ He's trying to avoid (giving) the impression that he's insensitive. ▪ a fleeting impression 2 : an idea or belief that is usually not clear or certain
▪ It was my impression [=I thought] that admission was free. ▪ I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. [=I'm sorry if I misled you] ▪ I got/had the distinct impression that they didn't mean to stay long. ▪ They gave (us) the impression that they didn't mean to stay long. ▪ an erroneous/false/mistaken impression ▪ I was under the impression [=I thought] that admission was free. 3 : an appearance or suggestion of something
▪ The garden is designed in tiers to give/create the impression of steps. [=the garden is designed so that it looks like steps] ▪ His lifestyle conveyed the impression of great wealth. [=his lifestyle led people to believe that he was very wealthy] 4 : something (such as a design or a footprint) made by pressing or stamping a surface
▪ The child used her hand to make an impression in the mud. 5 : an imitation of a famous person that is done for entertainment
▪ He does a funny impression [=impersonation] of Elvis Presley.