identification

noun

iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce identification (audio)
ə-
1
a
: an act of identifying : the state of being identified
b
: evidence of identity
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the meetings, the lawsuit alleges, security guards barred some community members from entering the room and later required attendees to provide identification. Maia Nehme, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2025 An identification chip is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to reunite a pet and its owner. Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 24 June 2025 Student IDs Senate Bill 10 stops college students from using their school IDs as voter identification. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025 That’s also the goal when ICE agents protect their identity by masking up and wearing no identification. David Weigel, semafor.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for identification

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of identification was in 1644

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Identification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identification. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

identification

noun
iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce identification (audio)
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- How to pronounce identification (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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