password

noun

pass·​word ˈpas-ˌwərd 

plural passwords

1

: something that enables one to pass or gain admission: such as

a

: a spoken word or phrase required to pass by a guard

b

: a sequence of characters required for access to a computer system or digital device compare passcode

2

: watchword

Synonyms of password

• word

Examples of password in a Sentence

You need to enter your password to check your e-mail.

the password for the all-night rave will be changed next week

Recent Examples on the Web

Checkpoint further reported that root accounts are safe under the default PermitRootLogin prohibit password setting, though reachable accounts with doas or sudo rights can still become root. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

That helps reduce the risk of someone accessing multiple accounts if one password is compromised. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

To create a passkey using 1Password, visit a website that uses passkeys, sign in using a username and password, and then set up a passkey in your account settings menu. — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for password

• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword
• catbird
• catchword
• concurred
• conferred
• cowbird
• cowherd
• crossword
• deferred

Kids Definition

password

noun

pass·​word -ˌwərd 

1

: a word or phrase that must be spoken by a person in order to pass a guard

2

: a secret series of numbers or letters required for access to a computer