fingerprinting

noun

fin·​ger·​print·​ing ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprin-tiŋ 

1

: the act or an instance of taking an ink impression of someone's fingerprints for the purpose of identification

sent him in for fingerprinting

also : identification using this process

But he was also concerned that fingerprinting was slipping out of the hands of men like himself whom he considered "scientists" and into the hands of men like Collins whom he regarded as poorly educated clerks.

—Simon Cole

2

: identification by analyzing characteristics unique to individuals

genetic fingerprinting

protein fingerprinting

Examples of fingerprinting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two hours later, they were handcuffed and taken for fingerprinting, and their hope grew stronger. — Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025

Those attempting to use fingerprinting get flagged with a fingerprint icon. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 June 2026

Apple also takes action to prevent fingerprinting, where other aspects of your device, right down to the fonts are used to identify you online. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026

Browser makers have taken steps, both together and separately, to reduce the amount of fingerprinting that is possible. — ArsTechnica, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fingerprinting

• DNA fingerprinting
• genetic fingerprinting

Rhymes for fingerprinting

• glinting
• hinting
• minting
• printing
• splinting
• sprinting
• squinting
• tinting
• imprinting
• reprinting
• unstinting