two-factor authentication

noun

two-fac·​tor authentication ˈtü-ˈfak-tər- 

: a method of verifying the identity of a person (as for granting access to a system) by requiring a password and an additional form of authorization (such as a code, a fingerprint, or a smartphone app)

—abbreviation 2FA compare multi-factor authentication

Examples of two-factor authentication in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Organizations usually spend a lot of time and energy protecting their people with tactics like two-factor authentication and education for users. —Tk Keanini, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Even if attackers capture your credentials via a fake QR code, two-factor authentication creates an extra barrier. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Use strong passwords, encrypted backups, firewalls, and two-factor authentication. —Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Create strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication Use strong, unique passwords for all your social media and photo-sharing accounts. —Tinybeans Team, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for two-factor authentication

• deindustrialization
• immunoprecipitation
• individualisation
• individualization
• institutionalisation
• institutionalization
• internationalization
• neovascularization
• operationalization
• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration