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

In the first pages of “Returning,” Mr. Lemann asserts his identification with Jack Burden, the narrator of Robert Penn Warren’s 1946 political novel, “All the King’s Men.”

From The Wall Street Journal

California law requires county officials to keep election materials — including ballots and voter identification envelopes — for 22 months for elections involving a federal office and for six months for all other contests.

From Los Angeles Times

The Democrats have asked that the DHS bar immigration agents from wearing face masks, provide better identification for officers and tighten rules for obtaining warrants.

From BBC

When I took out my identification folder, a roll of bills fell out with it.

From Literature

ICE agents would be required to wear identification badges and work without masks, and follow existing laws regarding warrants.

From Salon

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony