authentication

noun

au·​then·​ti·​ca·​tion ə-ˌthen-ti-ˈkā-shən 

ȯ-

plural authentications

: an act, process, or method of showing something (such as an identity, a piece of art, or a financial transaction) to be real, true, or genuine : the act or process of authenticating something

Historically, the authentication of art fell to connoisseurs …

—Colette Bancroft

Encryption and decryption, combined with user authentication, ensure that only intended recipients read the messages.

—Sal Ricciardi

Mostly, notaries have to be adept at the authentication arts. In an era of multiple-personality disorder, cross-dressing, sex-change surgery and bogus IDs, people aren't always who they appear to be. On the notary public rests the responsibility to verify a person's true identity and attest to it.

—Colette Bancroft

Giving users a way to prove that they're being harassed with, say, a screenshot or some other form of authentication could help Twitter catch bad actors, even after they've covered their tracks.

—Issie Lapowsky

—often used before another noun

authentication codes

authentication techniques

authentication keys

Examples of authentication in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the information contains fresh, valid authentication codes and the correct PIN, the machine treats it like a real card. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025

If not in use, turn off tap-to-pay and mobile wallet capabilities, or require a PIN or biometric authentication before processing any mobile wallet transaction. —Paolo Dal Cin, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025

The feature may also soon serve as a one-stop authentication tool for accessing an increasing number of apps and websites requiring age verification. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2025

Biometric authentication through Face ID or Touch ID ensures that only the owner of the Digital ID can access or present it. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

authentic(ate) + -ation

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing authentication

• multifactor authentication
• two-factor authentication

Rhymes for authentication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration