authentication
noun
au·then·ti·ca·tion
ə-ˌthen-ti-ˈkā-shən 
ȯ-
plural authentications
: an act, process, or method of showing something (such as an identity, a piece of art, or a financial transaction) to be real, true, or genuine : the act or process of authenticating something
Historically, the authentication of art fell to connoisseurs …—
Colette Bancroft
Colette BancroftEncryption and decryption, combined with user authentication, ensure that only intended recipients read the messages.—Sal Ricciardi
Sal RicciardiMostly, notaries have to be adept at the authentication arts. In an era of multiple-personality disorder, cross-dressing, sex-change surgery and bogus IDs, people aren't always who they appear to be. On the notary public rests the responsibility to verify a person's true identity and attest to it.—Colette Bancroft
Colette BancroftGiving users a way to prove that they're being harassed with, say, a screenshot or some other form of authentication could help Twitter catch bad actors, even after they've covered their tracks.—Issie Lapowsky
—often used before another nounIssie Lapowskyauthentication codes
authentication techniques
authentication keys
Examples of authentication in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Encryption, tokenization and multifactor authentication (MFA) should supplement public data-sharing policies.
—Kalyan Gottipati, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Their advice to counter any ransomware attacks against employers include implementing a multifactor authentication system, and monitoring network usage.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Require multifactor authentication for all services, particularly for webmail, virtual private networks, and accounts that access critical systems.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
To protect against the ransomware, officials recommended patching operating systems, software and firmware, in addition to using multifactor authentication for all services such as email and VPNs.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authentication
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Kalyan Gottipati, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Their advice to counter any ransomware attacks against employers include implementing a multifactor authentication system, and monitoring network usage.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Require multifactor authentication for all services, particularly for webmail, virtual private networks, and accounts that access critical systems.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
To protect against the ransomware, officials recommended patching operating systems, software and firmware, in addition to using multifactor authentication for all services such as email and VPNs.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authentication
Cite this Entry
“Authentication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentication. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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