authentication

American  

[aw-then-ti-key-shuhn] / ɔˌθɛn tɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of establishing something as genuine or authoritative.

   The requisite authentication was performed on each piece before it was donated to the museum.

2. Also called electronic authentication.  Digital Technology. the act or process of establishing identity and verifying permission to access an electronic device or computer network (often used attributively): biometric authentication;

   password authentication;

   biometric authentication;

   authentication credentials.

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Other Word Forms

• reauthentication noun

Etymology

Origin of authentication

First recorded in 1600–20; authenticat(e) ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

The process works much like two-factor authentication on a banking website.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

That’s led to security concerns, as cybersecurity company Wiz identified a database misconfiguration in early February that left 1.5 million API authentication tokens, 35,000 email addresses and private messages between agents exposed.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

New authentication systems will be needed to stop fraudsters from sending fake invoices to bots, for example.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

A subscription to X is held by her department, which it said provides additional benefits including "two-step authentication" for security purposes, and account analytics.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

"I needed authentication from the Attorney General," said the Warden.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar

Related Words

• certification
• verification