identifier

American  

[ahy-den-tuh-fahy-er, i-den-] / aɪˈdɛn təˌfaɪ ər, ɪˈdɛn- /

noun

plural

identifiers

1. something, such as a name, number, code, label, etc., that serves to identify or represent a person or thing.

2. a book, computer application, or other source that one can use to identify something, such as a bird, plant, etc., by matching it with a sound, photo, or description in an inventory.

3. a person who identifies someone or something.

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identifier British  

/ aɪˈdɛntɪˌfaɪ /

noun

1. a person or thing that establishes the identity of someone or something

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Other Word Forms

• de-identifier noun
• non-identifier noun
• quasi-identifier noun
• self-identifier noun
• sub-identifier noun

Example Sentences

The artist’s last name is written in block letters along one edge, but there’s some confusion over whether the artist or the school added it later as an identifier.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2025

It includes plans for all children to have a unique identifier number, a bit like a National Insurance number, for safeguarding purposes.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025

She doesn’t use it as Nessa’s identifier but instead, uses it to poke fun at people’s misplaced assumptions of Nessa.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2024

It serves, so to speak, as an identifier for the body cells.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2024

It is customary for the first identifier to have the species named after him, or any name he chooses, so long as it is not already in use.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly