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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 asa : a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibilityb : 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 electrophoresisc : the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting
fingerprint
transitive verbfingerprinting
nounRead the Latest from M-W
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
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For example, the 46-liter Rectangular Step Can Dual Compartment ($180, simplehuman.com) has a fingerprint-proof coating, two compartments, a smooth-closing lid and a super-strong steel pedal.
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Virtually every racing motorcycle on the road today bears Cole’s fingerprints.
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Plus, fingerprints on any glass surface really annoy me.
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JetBlue Airways Corp. and Delta are also testing facial- and fingerprint-recognition technology at two U.S. airports to replace boarding passes, building on industry efforts to increase security and ease passage through congested airports.
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But the U.S. fingerprints on this man’s detention, and his American citizenship, gave him a lifeline to outside help.
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Powell’s fingerprints were all over Trump’s May trip to Saudi Arabia and Israel.
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Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, a prominent immigration attorney in Virginia, reports that since Trump’s inauguration, every one of his clients arrested by ICE has had their fingerprints scanned before being taken into custody.
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Even in cities striving to be safe spaces for immigrants, those fingerprints are automatically run through ICE databases because of a federal program called Secure Communities.
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
FINGERPRINT Defined for English Language Learners
fingerprint
playDefinition of fingerprint for English Language Learners
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: the mark that is made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
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: a mark of this kind made in ink for the purpose of identifying a person
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: something (such as genetic material) that can be used to identify a person
FINGERPRINT Defined for Kids
Definition of fingerprint for Students
: the unique pattern of marks made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
Definition of fingerprint for Students
fingerprinted
;fingerprinting
: to obtain fingerprints in order to identify a person
Medical Dictionary
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
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
fingerprinting
nounLaw Dictionary
fingerprint
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
fingerprint
transitive verbfingerprinting
nounLearn More about fingerprint
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See words that rhyme with fingerprint Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fingerprint Spanish Central: Translation of 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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