identification

[ ahy-den-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, ih-den- ]

noun

1. an act or instance of identifying; the state of being identified.

   Synonyms: affiliation, connection, association

2. something that identifies a person, animal, or thing:

   He carries identification with him at all times.

3. Sociology. acceptance as one's own of the values and interests of a social group.
4. Psychology.
   1. a process by which one ascribes to oneself the qualities or characteristics of another person.
   2. (in psychoanalytic theory) the transference or reaction to one person with the feelings or responses relevant to another, as the identification of a teacher with a parent.
   3. perception of another as an extension of oneself.

identification

/ aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of identifying or the state of being identified
2. 1. something that identifies a person or thing
   2. ( as modifier )

      an identification card

3. psychol
   1. the process of recognizing specific objects as the result of remembering
   2. the process by which one incorporates aspects of another person's personality See also empathy
   3. the transferring of a response from one situation to another because the two bear similar features See also generalization

Other Words From

• noni·denti·fi·cation noun
• over·i·denti·fi·cation noun
• prei·denti·fi·cation noun
• rei·denti·fi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of identification¹

First recorded in 1635–45; identi(fy) + -fication

Example Sentences

Just their accessibility, their boldness, their identification challenges.

From Salon

She claimed that a woman found in Texas with Banks’ expired New York identification card was not actually her cousin.

From Los Angeles Times

Another common issue is the signature on the ballot envelope does not match a voter’s signature on other forms of identification.

From Los Angeles Times

Privacy rules regarding the identification of suspects means the BBC is not naming the footballer.

From BBC

Trump’s Friday social media post also included a promise to demand voter identification and proof of citizenship in order to cast ballots.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony