identification

[ ahy-den-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, ih-den- ]

noun

1. an act or instance of identifying; the state of being identified.

   Synonyms: affiliation, connection, association

2. something that identifies a person, animal, or thing:

   He carries identification with him at all times.

3. Sociology. acceptance as one's own of the values and interests of a social group.
4. Psychology.
   1. a process by which one ascribes to oneself the qualities or characteristics of another person.
   2. (in psychoanalytic theory) the transference or reaction to one person with the feelings or responses relevant to another, as the identification of a teacher with a parent.
   3. perception of another as an extension of oneself.

identification

/ aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of identifying or the state of being identified
2. 1. something that identifies a person or thing
   2. ( as modifier )

      an identification card

3. psychol
   1. the process of recognizing specific objects as the result of remembering
   2. the process by which one incorporates aspects of another person's personality See also empathy
   3. the transferring of a response from one situation to another because the two bear similar features See also generalization

Other Words From

• noni·denti·fi·cation noun
• over·i·denti·fi·cation noun
• prei·denti·fi·cation noun
• rei·denti·fi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of identification¹

First recorded in 1635–45; identi(fy) + -fication

Example Sentences

Many officers have also refused to uncover their badge numbers, deterring identification.

From ProPublica

Oportun allows borrowers to use an individual tax identification number in lieu of a Social Security number when they apply for loans, making them easily accessible to undocumented immigrants.

From ProPublica

The notices should include a “claim identification number” and a “confirmation code,” which can be entered here.

From Fortune

The FBI and police scan these masses of photos through computer programs that digitize them for identification.

From Nautilus

It must be made explicit that identification between devices is anonymized and securely stored in encrypted form to prevent violation of privacy.

From Science News

Her heartbroken and horrified brother, Sam Jones, made the identification.

From The Daily Beast

The remains have also been sent to the chief medical examiner in Richmond for official forensic identification.

From The Daily Beast

The jogger had no memory of the attack, and none of the other victims could make an identification of the Five.

From The Daily Beast

At about 10 p.m., a horde of Hungarian police officers raided the bar, demanding that everybody show their identification.

From The Daily Beast

To gauge his level of truthfulness, I asked, “So, you wouldn't mind if I included your donor identification number in the story?”

From The Daily Beast

“It is a perfect identification,” murmured Mr. Arden, with his eyes still riveted on the plaster faces.

From Project Gutenberg

This will show all bacteria except the tubercle bacillus, and often no other stain is necessary for their identification.

From Project Gutenberg

The presence of such a diplococcus in meningeal exudates is, however, sufficient for its identification.

From Project Gutenberg

Identification was established by a wallet containing papers of the deceased.

From Project Gutenberg

The plan has also been utilized a great deal in recent years for the identification of enlisted men in the army and navy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony