identification

American  

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

noun

identifications plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• identifications
  plural

Etymology

Origin of identification

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

Explanation

Identification is what you show when someone wants proof of who you are. When you get pulled over by a cop for speeding, you better have your driver’s license on you as your form of identification! Identification isn’t just the card or passport you carry around in your wallet to prove who you are to others. You can also have an identification with a person if you share common beliefs, traditions, or values; then you can say that you identify with that person. Identification can also mean the process of recognizing or identifying something. You may have to wait to adopt that stray dog until the pound has put the pooch through an identification process, trying to see if he already belongs to another family.

Example Sentences

According to Windward, an Iranian radio transmission warned all vessels in the area that any crossing without identification signals or Iranian permissions would be at their own risk.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

The review team identified significant failures in post-death care, including concerns related to loss of dignity, poor mortuary processes, lack of effective identification systems and inappropriate communication.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

More accurate identification of subgenomes could improve gene annotation, trait mapping, and comparative genomic studies.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026

These include antitheft devices, paint protection coatings, etching the vehicle’s identification number into the windows or other parts and accessories such as door-edge guards and floor mats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

The identification of the monster is a crucial part of the hunt, little girl.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony