fingerprinting

noun

fin·​ger·​print·​ing ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprin-tiŋ 

1

: the act or an instance of taking an ink impression of someone's fingerprints for the purpose of identification

sent him in for fingerprinting

also : identification using this process

But he was also concerned that fingerprinting was slipping out of the hands of men like himself whom he considered "scientists" and into the hands of men like Collins whom he regarded as poorly educated clerks.

—Simon Cole

2

: identification by analyzing characteristics unique to individuals

genetic fingerprinting

protein fingerprinting

Examples of fingerprinting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hardin’s identity was confirmed through fingerprinting, per police. —Charna Flam, People.com, 7 June 2025

Hardin’s identity was confirmed through fingerprinting, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. —Jeff Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025

At the top of their list is the demand for fingerprinting at the model layer. —Virginie Berger, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

The online survey used a two-step process to guarantee each participant and their responses were authentic, using tools like digital fingerprinting, bot checks, geo-verification, speeding detection and response reviews by team members. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fingerprinting

• DNA fingerprinting
• genetic fingerprinting

Rhymes for fingerprinting

• glinting
• hinting
• minting
• printing
• splinting
• sprinting
• squinting
• tinting
• imprinting
• reprinting
• unstinting