Illustration of fingerprint
- 1 arch
- 2 loop
- 3 whorl
- 4 composite
fingerprint
noun
fin·ger·print
ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint 
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
Synonyms
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
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
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.
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Kids Definition
fingerprint
noun
fin·ger·print
ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint
: 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
noun
-ˌprin-tiŋ
Medical Definition
fingerprint
1 of 2 noun
fin·ger·print
-ˌprint
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
Nglish: Translation of fingerprint for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fingerprint for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fingerprint
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