WordGarden.iomarkup
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɑːkʌp/
US
- /ˈmɑrˌkəp/
Meanings
Noun
the amount added to a cost price to set a higher selling price
tags or code added to text to define structure or formatting, as in HTML or XML
editorial symbols or corrections added to text for publication or printing
Beyond the definition
"Markup" has a few common meanings. In business, it is the amount added to the cost of something so it can be sold at a profit. If a shop buys a lamp for 35, the markup is $15. In technology, it means the code used to organize and format text, such as HTML or XML. And in editing or publishing, it can mean notes or symbols added to a piece of writing to show what should be changed.
The idea is simple: something extra is being added. A store adds money to the cost, a web developer adds tags to structure a page, and an editor adds marks to guide a revision. You might hear about a store's markup, a markup language for a website, or a document full of markup from an editor.
The word "markup" usually refers to something added on top of something else. It is used in business, technology, and editing, and the exact meaning depends on the context.
In the business world, markup is the amount added to the original cost of a product or service to set the selling price and make a profit. For example, if a furniture maker spends 120, the markup is $70. People also talk about markup as a percentage of cost. This use is common in shops, restaurants, construction, and many other kinds of business.
In technology, markup refers to a system of tags or codes that tells a computer how text or data should be structured or displayed. HTML, which is used for web pages, is the best-known example. With markup, a writer or developer can show which text is a heading, a paragraph, a link, or part of a list. XML is another common example, especially when data needs to be organized in a clear way.
There is also an editing and publishing sense. An editor may mark up a document by adding comments, correction symbols, or formatting instructions. In that setting, markup means the visible notes that show what should be fixed or changed before publication. This older print-world meaning connects neatly with the digital one: in both cases, extra marks are added to guide how text should appear. So whether you are talking about retail pricing, HTML, or an edited manuscript, "markup" is about added information layered onto something that already exists.
Examples
- 1
Retail pricing
The store sells the bags with a 40% markup.
- 2
Restaurant wine
The markup on restaurant wine can be surprisingly high.
- 3
Document editing
Check the editor’s markup before you accept all the changes.
- 4
HTML code
The page looked fine, but the HTML markup was messy.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Web terminology
HTML is a markup language, not a programming language.
- Domainmarkup language
a system for adding structure and information to text
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- markupnoun
Forms
- markupspluralnoun