identification
noun
iden·ti·fi·ca·tion
ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 
ə-
1
a
: an act of identifying : the state of being identified
b
: evidence of identity
2
a
: psychological orientation of the self in regard to something (such as a person or group) with a resulting feeling of close emotional association
b
: a largely unconscious process whereby an individual models thoughts, feelings, and actions after those attributed to an object that has been incorporated as a mental image
Examples of identification in a Sentence
A member of the family was brought in for identification of the body.
The birds are tagged for easy identification.
The police have made a positive identification of the suspect.
You need two forms of identification.
the movie audience's identification with the good guys
Recent Examples on the Web
The military helicopter was sending a Mode S signal, which transmits basic data about altitude and aircraft identification.
—
Pete Muntean, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
While the identification has triggered international planetary defense measures, experts say that further observations of the asteroid might drop the impact probability down to zero.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
In 2022, the remains were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2025
Summary: Examiner positions require the identification, compilation and organization of relevant data to analyze and draw sound logical conclusions for work assignments or examinations of financial institutions with moderate-to-high risk profiles and/or complex structures.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for identification 
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.
Pete Muntean, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
While the identification has triggered international planetary defense measures, experts say that further observations of the asteroid might drop the impact probability down to zero.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
In 2022, the remains were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2025
Summary: Examiner positions require the identification, compilation and organization of relevant data to analyze and draw sound logical conclusions for work assignments or examinations of financial institutions with moderate-to-high risk profiles and/or complex structures.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for identification
Dictionary Entries Near identification
Cite this Entry
“Identification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identification. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
identification
noun
iden·ti·fi·ca·tion
ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən
ə-ˌdent-
1
: an act of identifying : the state of being identified
2
: evidence of identity
carry identification at all times
Medical Definition
identification
noun
iden·ti·fi·ca·tion
ī-ˌdent-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən, ə-
1
: an act of identifying : the state of being identified
2
a
: psychological orientation of the self in regard to something (as a person or group) with a resulting feeling of close emotional association
b
: a largely unconscious process whereby an individual models thoughts, feelings, and actions after those attributed to an object that has been incorporated as a mental image
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share