fingerprint

noun

fin·​ger·​print ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint 

1

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface

also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification

2

: something that identifies: such as

a

: a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibility

b

: analytical evidence (such as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance

especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis

c

: the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting

fingerprint transitive verb

Illustration of fingerprint

• 1 arch
• 2 loop
• 3 whorl
• 4 composite

Synonyms

• affection
• attribute
• attribution
• character
• characteristic
• criterion
• diagnostic
• differentia
• feature
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• note
• particularity
• peculiarity
• point
• property
• quality
• specific
• stamp
• touch
• trait

Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence

Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.

Everyone has a unique fingerprint.

Recent Examples on the Web

The man, who is nonverbal, was later confirmed to be Nasseri's brother after a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit was able to get his fingerprint. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024

His identity was later confirmed through a fingerprint test conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department, according to the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

But there’s something sad about eating a piece of this bread without having the cinnamon-sugar filling coating on your fingers and leaving fingerprints on napkins. —Deanne Revel, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024

The defensive-minded head coach’s fingerprints are all over the surprising development for reasons beyond X’s and O’s. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fingerprint

noun

fin·​ger·​print ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint 

: the pattern of marks made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface

especially : a pattern of marks in ink of the lines on the tip of a finger taken for the purpose of identification

fingerprint verb

fingerprinting

-ˌprin-tiŋ

noun

Medical Definition

fingerprint

1 of 2 noun

fin·​ger·​print -ˌprint 

1

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface

especially : an ink impression of the lines on the fingertip taken for purpose of identification

2

: analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance

especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis compare dna fingerprinting

fingerprint

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to analyze (as spectrographically or chromatographically) in order to determine uniquely the identifying characteristics, origin, or constitution of

each protein was fingerprinted

fingerprinting noun

Legal Definition

fingerprint

noun

fin·​ger·​print

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface

also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification (as during the booking procedure following an arrest) see also dna fingerprinting

fingerprint transitive verb

fingerprinting noun