authentication

noun

au·​then·​ti·​ca·​tion ə-ˌthen-ti-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce authentication (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Hazards Of Hybrid Environments Many organizations use identity and access management (IAM) solutions to integrate and streamline user authentication across both cloud and on-premises systems. Jonathan Fischbein, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 Very likely, this weaker authentication was similar to those used to log in to a Netflix or YouTube account on a TV with a phone. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025 Developments in artificial intelligence and new authentication systems mean that traditional passwords are rapidly being upgraded or replaced with biometric security options—something that can't be replicated. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025 The warning followed a major technical outage starting on June 24, which affected the network ID authentication service that students and faculty use to access school platforms — including university emails and online coursework, Columbia Daily Spectator reported. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for authentication

Word History

Etymology

authentic(ate) + -ation

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of authentication was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authentication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentication. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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