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

• 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

Microsoft has gone furthest with its warning to actually delete passwords as well. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

McAfee Total Protection presents superb antivirus lab test scores, top phishing protection, a no-limits VPN, data breach monitoring, and a simple password manager. —PC Magazine, 11 July 2025

The Eero Plus subscription is expensive ($10 per month or $100 per year) but includes comprehensive parental controls, advanced security, ad blocking, and even a password manager and VPN service. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025

Instead of trying to memorize dozens of complex passwords, a password manager securely stores them for you and automatically fills them in when needed. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025

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