identification

[ahy-den-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, ih-den-]

noun

1. an act or instance of identifying; the state of being identified.

   Synonyms: affiliation, connection, association

2. something that identifies a person, animal, or thing.

   He carries identification with him at all times.

3. Sociology.,  acceptance as one's own of the values and interests of a social group.

4. Psychology.

   1. a process by which one ascribes to oneself the qualities or characteristics of another person.

   2. (in psychoanalytic theory) the transference or reaction to one person with the feelings or responses relevant to another, as the identification of a teacher with a parent.

   3. perception of another as an extension of oneself.

identification

/ aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of identifying or the state of being identified

2. 1. something that identifies a person or thing

   2. ( as modifier )

      an identification card

3. psychol

   1. the process of recognizing specific objects as the result of remembering

   2. the process by which one incorporates aspects of another person's personality See also empathy

   3. the transferring of a response from one situation to another because the two bear similar features See also generalization

Other Word Forms

• nonidentification noun
• overidentification noun
• preidentification noun
• reidentification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of identification¹

First recorded in 1635–45; identi(fy) + -fication

Example Sentences

Since May 7, travelers who plan to board a domestic flight are required to show the federally compliant Real ID or another approved form of identification such as a passport to pass through airport security.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some acknowledged using false identification, but most described experiences similar to that of a 16-year-old from Santa Barbara County, who said her bosses never inquired about her age.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The new system will require users to take a photo of their face or use identification to verify their age.

Read more on Barron's

He interrogated the teenager, asking where he and his family were from and demanded identification, Kirakosian said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This achievement led to the identification of a completely new crystallization pathway for water and the discovery of a previously unknown ice phase.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• description 
• passport 
• recognition 
• testimony