fingerprint

noun

fin·​ger·​print ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint How to pronounce fingerprint (audio)
1
: the impression of a fingertip on any surface
also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification
2
: something that identifies: such as
a
: a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibility
b
: analytical evidence (such as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance
especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis
c
: the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting
fingerprint transitive verb

Illustration of fingerprint

Illustration of fingerprint
  • 1 arch
  • 2 loop
  • 3 whorl
  • 4 composite

Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence

Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun. Everyone has a unique fingerprint.
Recent Examples on the Web The man’s identity has not been released, pending the results of fingerprint analysis. Michael Williams, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2023 The Dynamic Island also houses the tech necessary for Apple's Face ID authentication method; Samsung's equivalent is an under-display fingerprint sensor. Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 13 Sep. 2023 The 5 also gets a larger screen and LTE connectivity, making the phone much faster than its predecessors. 2013: iPhone 5S, fingerprint for entry The 5S added the Touch ID feature, Apple’s first foray into biometric data usage as a replacement for passwords. Jennifer Korn, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023 Numerous studies have found the fingerprints of climate change in heat waves from the Pacific Northwest to Europe. Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2023 Only 22 Camp fire victims were identified using conventional methods, including fingerprints, dental records and surgical devices, such as knee replacements, breast implants and pacer machines, according to a 2020 study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. Jenny Jarvie, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2023 Each individual’s coloration pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2023 The right side of the device has a volume rocker and a fingerprint sensor/power button. Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 29 Aug. 2023 The fluke’s craggy ridge-line can be used, like a fingerprint, to distinguish individual whales. Camille Bromley, WIRED, 29 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fingerprint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fingerprint was in 1737

Dictionary Entries Near fingerprint

Cite this Entry

“Fingerprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fingerprint. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

fingerprint

noun
fin·​ger·​print ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint How to pronounce fingerprint (audio)
: the pattern of marks made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
especially : a pattern of marks in ink of the lines on the tip of a finger taken for the purpose of identification
fingerprint verb
fingerprinting
-ˌprin-tiŋ
noun

Medical Definition

fingerprint

1 of 2 noun
fin·​ger·​print -ˌprint How to pronounce fingerprint (audio)
1
: the impression of a fingertip on any surface
especially : an ink impression of the lines on the fingertip taken for purpose of identification
2
: analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance
especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis compare dna fingerprinting

fingerprint

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to analyze (as spectrographically or chromatographically) in order to determine uniquely the identifying characteristics, origin, or constitution of
each protein was fingerprinted
fingerprinting noun

Legal Definition

fingerprint

noun
fin·​ger·​print
: the impression of a fingertip on any surface
also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification (as during the booking procedure following an arrest) see also dna fingerprinting
fingerprint transitive verb
fingerprinting noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fingerprint

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