password

American  

[pas-wurd, pahs-] / ˈpæsˌwɜrd, ˈpɑs- /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of password

First recorded in 1810–20; pass + word

Explanation

A password is a word — or a series of letters or numbers — that's kept secret. You might need a password to get into your brother's clubhouse or to use your friend's laptop. During World War II, soldiers used passwords to enter guarded areas; these were words or phrases (and responses) that only other Allied soldiers knew. Today, you're more likely to use a password for protecting an electronic device, for withdrawing money from a bank machine, or for logging into your email or social media account. The original meaning of password, from the late 1700s, was "word used to distinguish friend from foe."

Example Sentences

Password managers simplify the process, allowing children to create and store complex passwords without memorization.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2024

Password checks are based on cryptographic one-way functions, which calculate an output value from an input value.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2024

As part of the update, iPhone users have access to Google’s Password Manager, which saves users’ passwords on the Google app for easy autofill access.

From Washington Times • Oct. 12, 2023

Password sharing is a widespread issue for Netflix and its competitors in the streaming space, to such an extent that marketplaces have sprouted up to help people find and buy account passwords on the cheap.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2023

As much a joke to break as a PC with the password Password.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• identification