authenticate

play

verb au·then·ti·cate \ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkāt, ȯ-\

Definition of authenticate

authenticated

;

authenticating

transitive verb
: to prove or serve to prove to be real, true, or genuine authenticate a document

authentication

play \-ˌthen-ti-ˈkā-shən\ noun

authenticator

play \-ˈthen-ti-ˌkā-tər\ noun

See authenticate defined for English-language learners

See authenticate defined for kids

Examples of authenticate in a Sentence

The signature has been authenticated.
a jeweler authenticated the diamond as real

Recent Examples of authenticate from the Web

These PINs are used to authenticate our customers and protect their account information, consistent with FCC requirements.

— john diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cops have a new strategy to fight heroin in Milwaukee: Cut off dealers' phones.," 12 July 2017
The numbers were used to authenticate customers at call centers, the company said.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Verizon says personal data of 6 million users leaked online," 12 July 2017
Beckett's Grading Service refused to authenticate the Prescott's signature on five autographed cards from collectors who received Prescott autograph redemptions from Panini's 2016 Prizm set, according to the report.

— geoffrey c. arnold, OregonLive.com, "Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott accused of using machine to sign autographs: Report," 5 July 2017
Miracles do not authenticate one's prophetic mission. (

— rabbi avi weiss, Jewish Journal, "Weiss: The role of miracles in the process of belief," 19 June 2017
For nearly 18 months after unearthing the painting, Levine spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to authenticate the piece.

— nancy coleman, CNN, "Lost Jackson Pollock painting found in a garage could be worth $15 million," 12 June 2017
The ball from homer No. 4 was off somewhere getting authenticated and marked.

— joe kay, The Denver Post, "Scooter Gennett flooded with texts, trying to comprehend 4 home-run game," 7 June 2017
The Intercept said the information was obtained anonymously and independently authenticated.

— erik ortiz, NBC News, "Who Is Reality Winner, NSA Contractor Accused in Top Secret Leak?," 6 June 2017
Apple device owners will have the option to authenticate their transaction through Touch ID.

— lisa eadicicco, Time, "Apple is Launching a Venmo Competitor," 5 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'authenticate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of authenticate

see authentic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1613

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of authenticate

confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify, authenticate, validate mean to attest to the truth or validity of something. confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact. confirmed the reports corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established. witnesses corroborated his story substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention. the claims have yet to be substantiated verify implies the establishing of correspondence of actual facts or details with those proposed or guessed at. all statements of fact in the article have been verified authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion. handwriting experts authenticated the diaries validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof. validated the hypothesis by experiments

AUTHENTICATE Defined for English Language Learners

authenticate

play

verb

Definition of authenticate for English Language Learners

: to prove that something is real, true, or genuine : to prove that something is authentic

AUTHENTICATE Defined for Kids

authenticate

play

verb au·then·ti·cate \ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkāt\

Definition of authenticate for Students

authenticated

;

authenticating

: to prove or serve as proof that something is authentic

Law Dictionary

authenticate

transitive verb au·then·ti·cate

Legal Definition of authenticate

authenticated

authenticating

1 : to prove or serve to prove that (something) is genuine; especially : to prove that (an item of evidence) is genuine for the purpose of establishing admissibility
2 : to make (a written instrument) valid and effective by marking especially with one's signature authenticate a check