passkey

noun

pass·​key ˈpas-ˌkē How to pronounce passkey (audio)
plural passkeys
1
: a key that provides special access (as to a secure area)
… left his swipe-card passkey behind when he stepped outside the tower's secure door and was unable to get back in …UPI.com
: such as
a
: a key designed to open any of a set of similar locks : master key
b
: a key with a large part of the bit filed away to enable it to open low quality locks as a master key : skeleton key
2
: an authentication method that uses biometrics (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) to identify and grant access to an authorized user
Instead of a vulnerable password, passkeys work by using your biometric data as your login 'fingerprint.' For example, you could use the Touch ID button on a Mac or a facial recognition scanner on your smartphone to log in to your account. No typing required.digitaltrends.com

Examples of passkey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Select Sign in with a passkey, or a similar option. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 Instead, use authentication methods like passkeys, Google Sign-In or Apple Sign-In. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025 In response, he’s asked Mailchimp about whether the company plans on offering passkeys, which can stop such phishing attacks. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025 Obviously, acting quickly enough to prevent the attacker from locking you out in the first place would be best, so employing a phishing-resistant authentication methodology like a passkey would be ideal. Davey Winder, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passkey

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of passkey was in 1633

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Cite this Entry

“Passkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passkey. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

passkey

noun
pass·​key ˈpas-ˌkē How to pronounce passkey (audio)
1
: a key for opening two or more locks
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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