biometric

American  

[bahy-uh-me-trik] / ˌbaɪ əˈmɛ trɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to biometry.

2. pertaining to, noting, or using a person's unique physical and other traits for the purposes of identification and security.

   a biometric system;

   biometric readers;

   a biometric passport.

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biometric British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈmɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. 1. relating to the analysis of biological data using mathematical and statistical methods

   2. relating to digital scanning of the physiological or behavioural characteristics of individuals as a means of identification

      biometric fingerprinting

2. relating to the statistical calculation of the probable duration of human life

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Etymology

Origin of biometric

First recorded in 1875–80; bio- ( def. ) + metric ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

biometric

In Portugal, children under the age of 16 go to a member of border police staff to have their biometric information recorded instead.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension and submit to biometric vetting, background checks and fraud screening — shifting the decision on extra time from campus officials to the federal government.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

The company said it does not use facial recognition or other biometric identification technologies to identify individuals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

It requires travellers from outside the EU to register biometric information when entering most European countries, which is then checked when they leave.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

It's a biometric identifier, like fingerprints or retina-scans, but it's got a lot more "collisions" than either of those.

From Little Brother by Doctorow, Cory