authentication

[aw-then-ti-key-shuhn]

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.

Other Word Forms

• reauthentication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of authentication¹

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

Example Sentences

I’m not quite ready to blame our national loneliness epidemic on two-factor authentication and automated help desks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yes, passwords if you have them, but just the caveat that a lot of things are two-factor authentication today.

Read more on Barron's

In the event that a caller could guess the right answer, Martino suggests having a backup question as well—a type of two-factor authentication.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The unique serial number on the bank note was the authentication he needed to ensure he was handing the cash over to the right person.

Read more on BBC

“Multi-factor authentication attacks have been happening for well over a decade,” Manky said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• certification 
• verification