identification

American  

[ahy-den-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, ih-den-] / aɪˌdɛn tə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən, ɪˌdɛn- /

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.

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identification British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of identification

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

Example Sentences

Roughly 94% of fliers have presented an acceptable form of identification since the requirement went into effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

You can’t really lie about your age, because you have to show proof of identification.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ordinance would also require law enforcement officers, including local, state and federal, to wear identification and make clear their agency affiliation.

From Los Angeles Times

Angel has worked in the fields since the eighth grade, after his mom bought him a Social Security card and an identification card for $150.

From Los Angeles Times

He dug up the car’s original bill of sale, which had a vehicle identification number.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony