password

noun

pass·​word ˈpas-ˌwərd 

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

: watchword

Synonyms

• countersign
• watchword
• word

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

Meanwhile, every password manager still must compete with the inertia or exhaustion that keeps people trying to lighten their login cognitive load by reusing passwords. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 20 June 2024

The Wikileaks founder’s role allegedly involved working with Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to crack a password to a classified U.S. Department of Defense computer, one of the largest compromises of classified information in U.S. history. —The Arizona Republic, 18 June 2024

However, both restrictions can be bypassed — the second with a password — the newswire noted. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 17 June 2024

Give them nothing: Even if your account was hacked and someone purchased $90,000 in sneakers, your credit card will not ask you to confirm your password, address or any other sensitive information. —Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

password

noun

pass·​word -ˌwərd 

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