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

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

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