password

noun

pass·​word ˈpas-ˌwərd How to pronounce password (audio)
plural passwords
Synonyms of passwordnext
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

Synonyms of password

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
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.
Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 Dropout ads encourage password-sharing. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026 The strength of the effect can be adjusted to suit the user's needs too, and it can also be set to activate only for specific apps or when a password is entered. Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 And remember a few weeks ago when Microsoft was in hot water for plaintext passwords in Edge? Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for password

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of password was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Password.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/password. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

password

noun
pass·​word -ˌwərd How to pronounce password (audio)
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

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