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

Among Erikson’s lasting contributions was his identification of what he called “collective trauma.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, anyone could go to a terminal gate without a ticket or identification, said Jeffrey Price, owner of Leading Edge Strategies, an airport management training company.

From Los Angeles Times

At the Houses of Parliament, he holds a peregrine falcon chick while it is ringed for identification.

From BBC

The strain at Jewish identification also arises in a contemporary gallery.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sajid travelled using an Indian passport, while his son used Australian identification, the authorities said.

From BBC

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony