identity
noun
iden·ti·ty
ī-ˈden-tə-tē 
ə-,
-ˈde-nə-
plural identities
1
a
: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual : individuality
b
: the relation established by psychological identification
2
: the condition of being the same with something described or asserted
establish the identity of stolen goods
3
a
: sameness of essential or generic character in different instances
b
: sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : oneness
4
: an equation that is satisfied for all values of the symbols
5
Examples of identity in a Sentence
The identity of the criminal is not known.
They produced their passports as proof of their identities.
They arrested the wrong man. It was a case of mistaken identity.
As children grow, they establish their own identities.
people who seem to lack individual identity
His art reflects his cultural identity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Financial recovery, identity restoration, and credit monitoring require expertise and time that many consumers do not have.
—
Ron Shevlin, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Still, one key aspect of an event tied to that day remains a mystery: the identity of the person who planted two pipe bombs on Capitol Hill the night before the riot.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2025
Each initial Explorer Box comes with five mystery coffees, a wheel with flavor notes, a tasting form, and an envelope revealing the identities of your coffees.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 1 Jan. 2025
People on social media, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), have called for the immediate release of the identity of the perpetrator, who law enforcement confirmed is deceased after an altercation with police.
—Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for identity 
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Ron Shevlin, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Still, one key aspect of an event tied to that day remains a mystery: the identity of the person who planted two pipe bombs on Capitol Hill the night before the riot.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2025
Each initial Explorer Box comes with five mystery coffees, a wheel with flavor notes, a tasting form, and an envelope revealing the identities of your coffees.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 1 Jan. 2025
People on social media, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), have called for the immediate release of the identity of the perpetrator, who law enforcement confirmed is deceased after an altercation with police.
—Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for identity
Articles Related to identity
Dictionary Entries Near identity
Cite this Entry
“Identity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
identity
noun
iden·ti·ty
ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē
ə-ˈden(t)-
plural identities
1
: the condition of being exactly alike : sameness
3
: the fact of being the same person or thing as claimed
prove one's identity
4
Medical Definition
identity
noun
iden·ti·ty
ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē, ə-ˈ
plural identities
1
: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual
2
: the relation established by psychological identification
Legal Definition
identity
noun
iden·ti·ty
plural identities
1
: sameness of essential character or aspect
collateral estoppel requires identity of the issues and the parties
2
a
: separate or distinct existence
when movables lose their identity or become an integral part of the immovable—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil Code
b
: distinguishing character of a person
especially
: information (as a name or address) that distinguishes a person
is required to reveal the identity of an informer
but for a mistake concerning the proper party's identity —Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 15(c)
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 15(c) 3
: the condition of being the same as a thing or person described, claimed, or accused
character evidence of a suspect's past crimes may be admitted to prove the identity of a crime's perpetrator
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