fingerprint

noun fin·ger·print \ ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: fingerprint in a Sentence

Definition of fingerprint

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

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fingerprint

transitive verb

See fingerprint defined for English-language learners

See fingerprint defined for kids

Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence

Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.
Everyone has a unique fingerprint.

Recent Examples of fingerprint from the Web

Each sample has its own chemical and isotopic fingerprints, unique to the geological and geochemical forces that formed it.

— sarah scoles, WIRED, "How a Uranium Hunter Sniffs Out Nuclear Weapons," 11 June 2018
The rule would also allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to collect biometric data, such as fingerprints, of the sponsors and other adults in the home.

— NBC News, "New U.S. rule will make it harder for immigrant children to reunite with families, advocates fear," 6 June 2018
Far more complex than fingerprints, a genetic profile is the single most identifiable characteristic an individual has.

— mason marks, STAT, "DNA donors must demand stronger protection for genetic privacy," 30 May 2018
With its own laboratory and technical specialists, the USPIS was at the forefront of forensic science, examining documents for authenticity, fingerprints, chemicals, and fibers.

— simon r. gardner, The Atlantic, "98 Years of Mail Fraud," 4 May 2018
But last year, the roughly 600 cars dusted for fingerprints led to arrests in only 20 cases.

— heather knight, San Francisco Chronicle, "What deters smash-and-grabs? Nothing — when that’s what’s in the car," 3 Apr. 2018
Moreover, the guns found in Alabama during the arrest of Al-Amin did not have any fingerprints on them; nor did Al-Amin have any residue from shooting the guns on his hands or clothes.

— obaid h. siddiqui, The Root, "The Unofficial Gag Order of Jamil Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown): 16 Years in Prison, Still Not Allowed to Speak," 30 May 2018
Cooper's fingerprints were not found anywhere – just a single drop of blood that a state expert said was Cooper's.

— CBS News, "Is Kevin Cooper innocent? Revisiting the complicated case of the Chino Hills massacre," 22 May 2018
Vehicles have fingerprints, Sylvester said, that come from the axle width, the axle length and the weight of the vehicle as well as the weight distribution of the vehicle.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "Wi-Fi in the road? Kansas City tech start-up is wiring pavement for safety — and fun | The Kansas City Star," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fingerprint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of fingerprint

First Known Use of fingerprint

1737

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

fingerprint Synonyms

Synonyms

attribute, attribution, character, characteristic, criterion, differentia, feature, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait;

Related Words

badge, indication, sign;

emblem, symbol, token;

charm, grace;

excellence, merit, virtue;

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk;

individuality, singularity, uniqueness;

FINGERPRINT Defined for English Language Learners

fingerprint

noun

Definition of fingerprint for English Language Learners

: the mark that is made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
: a mark of this kind made in ink for the purpose of identifying a person
: something (such as genetic material) that can be used to identify a person

FINGERPRINT Defined for Kids

fingerprint

noun fin·ger·print \ ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint \

Definition of fingerprint for Students

: the unique pattern of marks made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface

fingerprint

verb

Definition of fingerprint for Students

fingerprinted; fingerprinting

: to obtain fingerprints in order to identify a person

Medical Dictionary

fingerprint

noun fin·ger·print \ -ˌprint \

medical Definition of fingerprint

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

Illustration of fingerprint

fingerprint

transitive verb

medical Definition of fingerprint

: to analyze (as spectrographically or chromatographically) in order to determine uniquely the identifying characteristics, origin, or constitution of

each protein was fingerprinted

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fingerprinting

noun

Law Dictionary

fingerprint

noun fin·ger·print

legal Definition of fingerprint

: 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

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