password

[pas-wurd, pahs-]

noun

1. a secret word or expression used by authorized persons to prove their right to access, information, etc.

   Synonyms: watchword

2. a word or other string of characters, sometimes kept secret or confidential, that must be supplied by a user in order to gain full or partial access to a computer, computer system, or electronic device.

password

/ ˈpɑːsˌwɜːd /

noun

1. a secret word, phrase, etc, that ensures admission or acceptance by proving identity, membership, etc

2. an action, quality, etc, that gains admission or acceptance

3. a sequence of characters used to gain access to a computer system

Word History and Origins

Origin of password¹

First recorded in 1810–20; pass + word

Example Sentences

Masquerade masks and cocktail or formal wear are required and entry is by password instead of physical ticket, contributing to the transportive theme of the show.

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No full credit card details, passwords, or messages and activity beyond conversations with Discord's customer support agents were leaked, the firm said.

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No customer financial data, such as passwords or bank account details, had been obtained, Renault said, but other personal data had been accessed from a third-party provider.

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The security system would not have flagged it as malicious as it would have looked like a normal login or password reset request from me.

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Harrods said it would not engage with the "threat actor" and added the affected data, taken from a third-party provider, was limited to basic information and did not include passwords or payment details.

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Related Words

• identification