biometric

American  

[bahy-uh-me-trik] / ˌbaɪ əˈmɛ trɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to biometry.

2. pertaining to, noting, or using a person's unique physical and other traits for the purposes of identification and security.

   a biometric system;

   biometric readers;

   a biometric passport.

---

biometric British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈmɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. 1. relating to the analysis of biological data using mathematical and statistical methods

   2. relating to digital scanning of the physiological or behavioural characteristics of individuals as a means of identification

      biometric fingerprinting

2. relating to the statistical calculation of the probable duration of human life

---

Etymology

Origin of biometric

First recorded in 1875–80; bio- ( def. ) + metric ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Some groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have raised concerns about the possibility of facial recognition and other biometric tracking technologies being used at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Guests in those lines still had their photos taken, but the company said biometric technology wasn’t used.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Allegedly, it exposed Mercor contractor information ranging from recorded job interviews to facial biometric data and screenshots of workers’ computers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

New EU biometric border checks due to be rolled out at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel next month have been delayed again.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

With the progress of Mendelian research, biometric methods must be supplemented with pedigree studies.

From Applied Eugenics by Popenoe, Paul