identity

noun

iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden-tə-tē How to pronounce identity (audio)
ə-,
-ˈde-nə-
plural identities
1
a
: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual : individuality
b
: the relation established by psychological identification
2
: the condition of being the same with something described or asserted
establish the identity of stolen goods
3
a
: sameness of essential or generic character in different instances
b
: sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : oneness
4
: an equation that is satisfied for all values of the symbols
5

Examples of identity in a Sentence

The identity of the criminal is not known. They produced their passports as proof of their identities. They arrested the wrong man. It was a case of mistaken identity. As children grow, they establish their own identities. people who seem to lack individual identity His art reflects his cultural identity.
Recent Examples on the Web The fleet will descend on a city famous for its car culture and the identity people create around it. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The Little Rock Police Department has released the identity of a man who was fatally shot on Reservoir Road on Tuesday. Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2024 From the melodies of Motown to the rhymes of hip-hop, Black music has always been a force in shaping cultural identity. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Mar. 2024 While the identity of the killer is never in doubt — Booth, a semi-famous actor, leaps on stage in front of hundreds immediately after shooting Lincoln in the skull — the series delivers much the same excitement of investigation that this winter’s murder mysteries have. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 The future of public monuments and educational institutions named after racists and Confederate generals has been a subject of national interest for years now, and Abbott enters this broader dialogue with a clear sense of its own geographic identity. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 The identity of the semi-driver has not been released. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Chaos in Haiti:Nation spinning out of control on every metric from gangs to kidnappings, migration to murder The ages of the adults was not immediately known, and the identities of all five of the people will be released by the medical examiner's office. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 Police did not reveal the identities of the dead skiers, whose bodies were found in Tête Blanche on Sunday, Reuters reported. Martin Goillandeau, Cnn, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'identity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French identité, from Late Latin identitat-, identitas, probably from Latin identidem repeatedly, contraction of idem et idem, literally, same and same

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of identity was in 1545

Dictionary Entries Near identity

Cite this Entry

“Identity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

identity

noun
iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē How to pronounce identity (audio)
ə-ˈden(t)-
plural identities
1
: the condition of being exactly alike : sameness
2
3
: the fact of being the same person or thing as claimed
prove one's identity
4

Medical Definition

identity

noun
iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē, ə-ˈ How to pronounce identity (audio)
plural identities
1
: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual
2
: the relation established by psychological identification

Legal Definition

identity

noun
iden·​ti·​ty
plural identities
1
: sameness of essential character or aspect
collateral estoppel requires identity of the issues and the parties
2
a
: separate or distinct existence
when movables lose their identity or become an integral part of the immovableLouisiana Civil Code
b
: distinguishing character of a person
especially : information (as a name or address) that distinguishes a person
is required to reveal the identity of an informer
but for a mistake concerning the proper party's identity Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 15(c)
3
: the condition of being the same as a thing or person described, claimed, or accused
character evidence of a suspect's past crimes may be admitted to prove the identity of a crime's perpetrator

More from Merriam-Webster on identity

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