noun · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
/aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/
/ɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/
US:/aɪˌdɛn(t)ɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/in fast speech
US:/ɪˌdɛn(t)ɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/in fast speech
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -eɪʃən
CMU ARPABET:AY0 D EH2 N T AH0 F AH0 K EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The act of identifying (i.e., which one, which thing).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Qualifier: strictly
Examples
In many network protocols, identification is complemented by authentication.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The combination of identifying (which one, which thing) and validating the identity (proving or confirming it); identifying and authenticating viewed as a unitary concept in cognition.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly, countable, often, uncountable
Examples
Much education and experience is required for proper identification of bird species.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The state of being identified.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
The problem's identification was the first step toward dealing with it.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A particular instance of identifying something.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Examples
information necessary to make a good identification
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A document or documents serving as evidence of a person's identity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
The authorities asked for his identification.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: ID, documents, papers
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A feeling of support, sympathy, understanding, or belonging towards somebody or something.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
identification with the tribe
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
the act of designating or identifying something
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: designation
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: determination, finding
Narrower terms: diagnosis, diagnosing
8
noun
Meaning 8
the attribution to yourself (consciously or unconsciously) of the characteristics of another person (or group of persons)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: identity, personal identity, individuality
9
noun
Meaning 9
the process of recognizing something or someone by remembering
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a politician whose recall of names was as remarkable as his recognition of faces
experimental psychologists measure the elapsed time from the onset of the stimulus to its recognition by the observer
