fingerprinting

noun

fin·​ger·​print·​ing ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprin-tiŋ 

1

: the act or an instance of taking an ink impression of someone's fingerprints for the purpose of identification

sent him in for fingerprinting

also : identification using this process

But he was also concerned that fingerprinting was slipping out of the hands of men like himself whom he considered "scientists" and into the hands of men like Collins whom he regarded as poorly educated clerks.

—Simon Cole

2

: identification by analyzing characteristics unique to individuals

genetic fingerprinting

protein fingerprinting

Examples of fingerprinting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Rao pointed out that Content Credentials combines secure metadata, watermarking and digital fingerprinting. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 May 2024

Michigan voting machine case:Michigan attorney arrested in Washington, D.C. plans to return home After returning to Michigan and showing up at Oakland County Circuit Court, Lambert − an ally of former President Donald Trump − underwent fingerprinting and DNA collection. —Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024

Clearance requires fingerprinting and a criminal history check, according to prosecutors, and those convicted of any crime are prohibited from serving as aides. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024

That said, some more creative and stealthy forms for fingerprinting have been prohibited since then, even if users do opt in to being tracked—and those include misuse of the APIs in question here. —Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 28 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fingerprinting

• DNA fingerprinting
• genetic fingerprinting