password

noun

pass·​word ˈpas-ˌwərd How to pronounce password (audio)
plural passwords
1
: something that enables one to pass or gain admission: such as
a
: a spoken word or phrase required to pass by a guard
b
: a sequence of characters required for access to a computer system or digital device compare passcode
2

Examples of password in a Sentence

You need to enter your password to check your e-mail. the password for the all-night rave will be changed next week
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Microsoft 365 users, however, could certainly be excused for feeling hard done by in the attack stakes with hackers exploiting technical gaps to manipulate URLs, or basic authentication exploitation by spray and pray password campaigns. Davey Winder, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 These are created specifically for the protection of passwords and include features for important documents and photos. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025 This prevents anyone, including law enforcement at international borders, from accessing your complete password vault. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025 Gaggle saved screenshots of activity that set off each alert, and school officials accidentally provided links to them, not realizing they weren’t protected by a password. Claire Bryan and Sharon Lurye, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for password

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of password was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Password.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/password. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

password

noun
pass·​word -ˌwərd How to pronounce password (audio)
1
: a word or phrase that must be spoken by a person in order to pass a guard
2
: a secret series of numbers or letters required for access to a computer

More from Merriam-Webster on password

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