Illustration of fingerprint
- 1 arch
- 2 loop
- 3 whorl
- 4 composite
fingerprint
noun
fin·ger·print
ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint 
1
: the impression of a fingertip on any surface
also
: an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification
2
: something that identifies: such as
a
: a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibility
b
: analytical evidence (such as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance
especially
: the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis
c
: the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting
fingerprint
transitive verb
Synonyms
Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence
Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.
Everyone has a unique fingerprint.
Recent Examples on the Web
The chimney is made of original bricks, including one that bears the fingerprints of the laborer who shaped it by hand, per the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Eric Kolenich.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Kids will be able to make tap-to-pay purchases using standard authentication options, including fingerprint, facial recognition, PIN, or passwords.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024
This screen also features fingerprint technology on the far right, letting owners start and drive the car without a key.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Authorities collected fingerprints, a notebook, his passport, and other evidence for lab analysis.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fingerprint 
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Kids will be able to make tap-to-pay purchases using standard authentication options, including fingerprint, facial recognition, PIN, or passwords.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024
This screen also features fingerprint technology on the far right, letting owners start and drive the car without a key.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Authorities collected fingerprints, a notebook, his passport, and other evidence for lab analysis.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fingerprint
Dictionary Entries Near fingerprint
Cite this Entry
“Fingerprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fingerprint. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fingerprint
noun
fin·ger·print
ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint
: the pattern of marks made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
especially
: a pattern of marks in ink of the lines on the tip of a finger taken for the purpose of identification
fingerprint
verb
fingerprinting
noun
-ˌprin-tiŋ
Medical Definition
fingerprint
1 of 2 noun
fin·ger·print
-ˌprint
1
: the impression of a fingertip on any surface
especially
: an ink impression of the lines on the fingertip taken for purpose of identification
2
: analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance
especially
: the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis compare dna fingerprinting
fingerprint
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to analyze (as spectrographically or chromatographically) in order to determine uniquely the identifying characteristics, origin, or constitution of
each protein was fingerprinted
fingerprinting
noun
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