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

In some cases, claws can even be tricked into giving away a user’s password or credit card details, he added.

From The Wall Street Journal

But it said passwords had not been compromised, and data used for identity verification process such as passports had not been accessed.

From BBC

But she said the key is "prevention and education", including limiting personal information online, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and being cautious before sending money or personal images.

From BBC

This requires not only a user name and password, but also another piece of information — like a numeric code sent to your phone — before allowing you to log in successfully.

From Salon

It said it is considering a requirement that certain types of consumer transactions, such as those resetting a customer’s password or involving sharing bank account information, occur only at U.S.-based call centers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• identification