identification

noun

iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ə-

1

a

: an act of identifying : the state of being identified

Police made a positive identification of the suspect.

b

: evidence of identity

need to show identification before boarding the flight

2

a

: psychological orientation of the self in regard to something (such as a person or group) with a resulting feeling of close emotional association

b

: a largely unconscious process whereby an individual models thoughts, feelings, and actions after those attributed to an object that has been incorporated as a mental image

Examples of identification in a Sentence

A member of the family was brought in for identification of the body.

The birds are tagged for easy identification.

The police have made a positive identification of the suspect.

You need two forms of identification.

the movie audience's identification with the good guys

Recent Examples on the Web

The blood on the TV stand, like other blood in the apartment, was collected on a swab and sent to a crime lab for DNA identification, detectives wrote. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026

The sheriff's office said Banks' family was notified of her identification on July 7 after DNA testing confirmed her identity. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

The order requires state officials to recommend new approaches to prevention, victim identification and interagency collaboration. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

Requiring proof of citizenship and establishing consistent voter identification standards helps promote secure and accurate elections while reducing the potential for fraud. — Chris Vincent, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing identification

• identification card
• identification parade
• self-identification

Rhymes for identification

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

identification

noun

iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ə-ˌdent-

1

: an act of identifying : the state of being identified

2

: evidence of identity

carry identification at all times

Medical Definition

identification

noun

iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən, ə- 

1

: an act of identifying : the state of being identified

2

a

: psychological orientation of the self in regard to something (as a person or group) with a resulting feeling of close emotional association

b

: a largely unconscious process whereby an individual models thoughts, feelings, and actions after those attributed to an object that has been incorporated as a mental image