identification

noun

iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce identification (audio)
ə-
Synonyms of identificationnext
1
a
: an act of identifying : the state of being identified
b
: evidence of identity
2
a
: psychological orientation of the self in regard to something (such as a person or group) with a resulting feeling of close emotional association
b
: a largely unconscious process whereby an individual models thoughts, feelings, and actions after those attributed to an object that has been incorporated as a mental image

Examples of identification in a Sentence

A member of the family was brought in for identification of the body. The birds are tagged for easy identification. The police have made a positive identification of the suspect. You need two forms of identification. the movie audience's identification with the good guys
Recent Examples on the Web Police ask that anyone who is a victim of a similar assault, who is a witness to these incidents or who has information that could lead to the identification of the assailant to contact special assault detectives at (213) 473-0447. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024 Arizona will not be the latest state to require identification to access websites with adult content after Gov. Katie Hobbs nixed a measure to do so Monday. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024 Arkansas updated its voter identification law in 2021. —Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024 The strike on the aid vehicles is a grave mistake stemming from a serious failure due to a mistaken identification, errors in decision-making, and an attack contrary to the Standard Operating Procedures. —Daniel Estrin, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024 Also, students, veterans and active-duty military can now get in the museum free any day with valid identification. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024 Stack's family has been notified of his identification, the sheriff's office said. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024 The investigation and identification of the suspects are both ongoing. —Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024 For example, respondents who separately identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino in the current surveys frequently overlooked choosing a racial identification in the questions that followed, something that may happen less often when all questions are consolidated in a single section. —Michael Wines, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'identification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of identification was in 1644

Phrases Containing identification

Dictionary Entries Near identification

identifiable

identification

identification bracelet

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Identification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identification. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

identification

noun
iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce identification (audio)
ə-ˌdent-
1
: an act of identifying : the state of being identified
2
: evidence of identity
carry identification at all times

Medical Definition

identification

noun
iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən, ə- How to pronounce identification (audio)
1
: an act of identifying : the state of being identified
2
a
: psychological orientation of the self in regard to something (as a person or group) with a resulting feeling of close emotional association
b
: a largely unconscious process whereby an individual models thoughts, feelings, and actions after those attributed to an object that has been incorporated as a mental image
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