What does biometric mean?
The term biometric refers to the measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics. This can include fingerprints, facial recognition, voice recognition, and other data points that can be used to identify individuals. Biometric data is often used in security and authentication applications, such as secure access to facilities or encrypted data. The use of biometric data raises important questions about privacy and surveillance, and its applications continue to grow and evolve. Biometric technologies have the potential to revolutionize fields like healthcare and finance, but also require careful consideration of their social implications.
adjectiveRelating to the measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and voice recognition.
- Relating to the measurement of physical characteristics.
- Relating to the measurement of behavioral characteristics.
"The company uses biometric data to secure access to their high-security facilities."
"The biometric scanner quickly verified the employee's identity."
"The researchers used biometric data to study the effects of stress on human behavior."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of biometric
The word biometric comes from the Greek words 'bios', meaning life, and 'metron', meaning measure. The term was first used in the late 19th century to describe the measurement of living things. Over time, the concept of biometric measurement has expanded to include a wide range of physical and behavioral characteristics.
Usage notes
Formal and technical contexts, often used in fields like security, healthcare, and research.