identification

noun
iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion | \ ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce identification (audio) , ə- \

Definition of identification

1a : an act of identifying : the state of being identified
b : evidence of identity
2a : 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
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Recent Examples on the Web Specifically, the Democratic bill would not prohibit states from having voter identification laws and would not prohibit states from checking the IDs of in-person voters. Daniel Dale, CNN, 25 Aug. 2021 The watchdog report cites standard protocol showing that when an officer activates the radio emergency system, the officer's name and personal identification number appear on the dispatch console. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 25 Aug. 2021 While these records don’t necessarily need to be maintained at the federal level, each individual should have a unique individual identification number tied to vaccine status. Chloe Reichel, STAT, 22 Aug. 2021 Then, get your deal in writing, noting the vehicle identification number, or VIN. cleveland, 21 Aug. 2021 Residents will then create a four-digit personal identification number. Luke Money, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021 Cookies may be used to store a unique identification number tied to your computer or device so that you can be recognized as the same user across one or more browsing sessions, and across one or more sites. Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2021 When services were shut off for nonpayment, Sharma would sign up again using a slightly different business name and a different tax identification number. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 21 July 2021 After the Court upheld an Indiana voter identification law in 2008, numerous other states, including North Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania, sought to pass similar laws. New York Times, 1 July 2021

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

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First Known Use of identification

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Time Traveler for identification

Time Traveler

The first known use of identification was in 1644

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Dictionary Entries Near identification

identifiable

identification

identification bracelet

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Statistics for identification

Last Updated

29 Aug 2021

Cite this Entry

“Identification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identification. Accessed 30 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for identification

identification

noun

English Language Learners Definition of identification

: the act of finding out who someone is or what something is : the act of identifying someone or something
: something that shows who a person is : a document, card, etc., that has your name and other information about you and that often includes your photograph
: a feeling that you share and understand the problems or experiences of another person : the act of identifying with someone

identification

noun
iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion | \ ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce identification (audio) \

Kids Definition of identification

1 : an act of finding out the identity of the identification of leaves
2 : something that shows or proves identity

identification

noun
iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion | \ ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən, ə- How to pronounce identification (audio) \

Medical Definition of identification

1 : an act of identifying : the state of being identified
2a : 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

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