authenticate

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

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: authenticate in a Sentence

Definition of authenticate

authenticated; authenticating

transitive verb

: to prove or serve to prove to be real, true, or genuine

authenticate a document

—

authentication

play \ə-ˌthen-ti-ˈkā-shən, ȯ-\ 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

This would need to be done within 15 minutes of authenticating a request via the internet or a mobile device.

— NBC News, "Credit freezes will soon be free for everyone," 14 June 2018
Kamal authenticated the match ball from his first career goal, which was the game-winner in Sporting Kansas City’s 4-1 victory over Minnesota United on Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park.

— todd engle special to the star, kansascity, "Youngster's first MLS goal keys united Sporting KC attack vs. Minnesota," 3 June 2018
All of these tools use a much more modern encryption scheme, secure and authenticated from the start, and implemented with care.

— quinn norton, The Atlantic, "Email Is Dangerous," 21 May 2018
At Cleveland’s first authenticated Underground Railroad site, this annual performance celebrates the city’s history of social justice.

— cleveland.com, "25 things to do in Cleveland this May 2018: Festivals, foodie events, film and more," 2 May 2018
The dealer in Amsterdam agreed to buy the goods only if they could be authenticated, which Lipka planned to do at Christie’s in New York.

— refinery29.com, "American Animals," 20 June 2018
The proof is Armstrong's handwritten note, which has been authenticated by a handwriting expert, McHugh said.

— kristine phillips, ajc, "Neil Armstrong gave her a vial of moon dust, she says. She's suing so NASA won't take it.," 12 June 2018
The lawsuit says the signature has been authenticated by an expert as Armstrong's.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "Woman wants to keep moon dust she says Neil Armstrong gifted her, so she's suing NASA," 7 June 2018
The ability to test, authenticate, and reproduce scientific findings is vital for the integrity of [the] rulemaking process.

— david abel, BostonGlobe.com, "Harvard president denounces proposed EPA regulations on use of scientific research," 6 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

authenticate Synonyms

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

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

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