fingerprint

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

Illustration of fingerprint

• 1 arch
• 2 loop
• 3 whorl
• 4 composite

fingerprinting

2 of 2

noun (2)

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

Synonyms of fingerprint

Noun (1)

• characteristic
• feature
• trait
• quality
• attribute
• attribution

Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.

Everyone has a unique fingerprint.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Despite the proxy battle that this year’s Senate primaries have become, pitting the left against the mainstream, there’s little upside for any senators to put their fingerprints on the Maine do-over. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 July 2026

Electronic Screens In many households, items like laptops and flat-screen TVs receive a lot of attention and require frequent cleaning to remove dust, fingerprints, and other marks. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Noun

Hiring managers then set aside dates to screen applications, conduct interviews and oversee live scan fingerprinting. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

The hotel served as a processing center where deported Venezuelans underwent criminal background checks, fingerprinting and procedures related to their identity documents. — Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fingerprint

• DNA fingerprinting
• genetic fingerprinting

Rhymes for fingerprint

• mezzotint
• overprint
• peppermint
• blueprint
• footprint
• imprint
• misprint
• newsprint
• nonprint
• preprint
• reprint
• clint

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

-ˌprin-tiŋ

noun

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