What does identification mean?
Identification is the process of recognizing or determining who or what someone or something is. It may involve a name, document, physical characteristic, label, or other evidence, and it can also mean the information used to establish identity. The term is common in administrative, legal, scientific, and security settings: “identification badge,” “identification number,” and “identification of remains” are established examples. In discussions of psychology, culture, or personal identity, identification can refer to recognizing a connection with a person, group, place, or experience. Although identification and identity are related, they are not interchangeable: identity describes what someone or something is, whereas identification is the act or evidence of establishing that. The word is useful because it applies both to practical procedures for telling people or things apart and to the broader human process of recognizing meaningful affiliations.
nounThe act or process of identifying someone or something, especially by establishing their identity or characteristics. It can also refer to information or evidence that establishes identity.
- The act or process of recognizing or establishing the identity of a person, object, place, or condition.
- Information, evidence, or a document used to establish someone's identity.
- The assignment or statement of a category, origin, or characteristic.
- The process by which a person understands or describes aspects of their own identity or group membership.
"The new system uses facial recognition for the identification of airport passengers."
"Witnesses were unable to provide a positive identification of the driver."
"The museum requires identification of each object before accepting it into its collection."
Used when referring to multiple acts, cases, or documents of identification.
"The database contains identifications of the aircraft and its crew."
Without identification, a name is only a label; identification is what makes it point to a particular person or thing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does identification come from?
Identification was formed in the 17th century from the Latin identificare, meaning “to make identical” or “identify,” together with the English suffix -ation. The Latin verb combined idus, a form of idem meaning “the same,” with facere, “to make” or “do.” Identification, identify, identity, and identifier ultimately share this Roman origin, while identifier and identifiable were later formed within English.
Related word forms
How identification is actually used
In formal contexts, identification often means the process of determining identity, while in legal and administrative contexts it may refer to a document or number that records a person's identity. The phrase “identification purposes” is common in official instructions and may use “for identification purposes.”
Easily confused with identification
Identification is the process of establishing who or what something is, whereas identity is the qualities or characteristics that constitute who or what it is.