authentication

noun

au·​then·​ti·​ca·​tion ə-ˌthen-ti-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce authentication (audio)
ȯ-
plural authentications
: an act, process, or method of showing something (such as an identity, a piece of art, or a financial transaction) to be real, true, or genuine : the act or process of authenticating something
Historically, the authentication of art fell to connoisseurs …Colette Bancroft
Encryption and decryption, combined with user authentication, ensure that only intended recipients read the messages.Sal Ricciardi
Mostly, notaries have to be adept at the authentication arts. In an era of multiple-personality disorder, cross-dressing, sex-change surgery and bogus IDs, people aren't always who they appear to be. On the notary public rests the responsibility to verify a person's true identity and attest to it.Colette Bancroft
Giving users a way to prove that they're being harassed with, say, a screenshot or some other form of authentication could help Twitter catch bad actors, even after they've covered their tracks.Issie Lapowsky
often used before another noun
authentication codes
authentication techniques
authentication keys

Examples of authentication in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Immediate and infallible authentication of a security or certificate, as well as its provenance. Dimitri Raziev, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 That allowed the group to hijack messages intended for the victim, including authentication codes for his or her account, according to the indictment. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 1 Feb. 2024 Other patents in the portfolio relate to enabling technologies for 5G network authentication used in consumer and M2M devices, and the latest available Internet transport layer security solutions. Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 With a strategic identity orchestration framework that extends beyond basic authentication, an enterprise dials down risks, administrative overhead and technical debt. Gerry Gebel, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 There is also the option of using an authentication app like Authy, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or Lastpass Authenticator. Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Gmail’s email authentication requirement was announced last year. Gene Marks, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 Adding to the vehicle’s immense provenance is its authentication given by Ferrari Classiche in 2022. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024 At a day-long conference on identity and authentication in D.C. last week, the head of a trade group behind the passkeys standard acknowledged that obstacles remain for this post-password authentication but emphasized how much things have warmed up for passkeys overall. Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authentication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

authentic(ate) + -ation

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of authentication was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near authentication

Cite this Entry

“Authentication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentication. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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