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

Encryption and decryption, combined with user authentication, ensure that only intended recipients read the messages.

—Sal Ricciardi

Mostly, 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

Giving 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 noun

authentication codes

authentication techniques

authentication keys

Examples of authentication in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Elements of basic cyber hygiene include multifactor authentication (MFA) to limit the possibility of unauthorized access. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Use strong authentication methods: Enable two-factor authentication on all your financial accounts to add an extra layer of security. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024

Other recommendations to protect data In addition to encrypting communications, the CISA recommends the following practices: Enable Fast Identity Online authentication. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

Some wineries have employed advanced printing techniques for their labels, embedding holograms and printing with invisible inks, but the real prize is an authentication process for what’s inside the bottle. —Chris Hall, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

authentic(ate) + -ation

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing authentication

• multifactor authentication
• two-factor authentication