password

American  

[pas-wurd, pahs-] / ˈpæsˌwɜrd, ˈpɑs- /

noun

1. a secret word or expression used by authorized persons to prove their right to access, information, etc.

   Synonyms:

   watchword

2. a word or other string of characters, sometimes kept secret or confidential, that must be supplied by a user in order to gain full or partial access to a computer, computer system, or electronic device.

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password British  

/ ˈpɑːsˌwɜːd /

noun

1. a secret word, phrase, etc, that ensures admission or acceptance by proving identity, membership, etc

2. an action, quality, etc, that gains admission or acceptance

3. a sequence of characters used to gain access to a computer system

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Etymology

Origin of password

First recorded in 1810–20; pass + word

Example Sentences

Set up automatic transfers into bank accounts, use password managers to access your online accounts and boost your computer data security with antivirus software and other precautionary steps.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

According to Stratton, Lam, posing as a Google representative, called the investor and convinced the man to give up his password and security codes to prevent what Lam described as a hacking attempt.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

They include private web browsers, encrypted messaging apps, password managers, tracker blockers and Virtual Private Networks.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

They also store them digitally in a password manager both can access.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

I mean, I'm constantly forgetting my email password, so I have it written down in a notebook.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

Related Words

• identification