password

noun

pass·​word ˈpas-ˌwərd 

plural passwords

1

: something that enables one to pass or gain admission: such as

a

: a spoken word or phrase required to pass by a guard

b

: a sequence of characters required for access to a computer system or digital device compare passcode

2

: watchword

Synonyms of password

• word

Examples of password in a Sentence

You need to enter your password to check your e-mail.

the password for the all-night rave will be changed next week

Recent Examples on the Web

WhatsApp had no avatars or pins or passwords. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

A whole lot of Instagram users received a suspicious password reset email in recent days, suggesting that the Meta social media service was having cybersecurity issues. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026

You will be asked to create a password. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Fake pop-ups and lookalike websites are designed to trick people into typing usernames and passwords by hand. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for password

• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword
• catbird
• catchword
• concurred
• conferred
• cowbird
• cowherd
• crossword
• deferred

Kids Definition

password

noun

pass·​word -ˌwərd 

1

: a word or phrase that must be spoken by a person in order to pass a guard

2

: a secret series of numbers or letters required for access to a computer