authentication
authentication Lexical Profile
authentication Game Scores & Validity
• noun
In computing and security, the process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or system before granting access to a network or resource.
"The company enabled two-factor authentication on all employee accounts to prevent unauthorized access."
The process or action of proving or showing something to be true, genuine, or valid.
"The museum curator requested independent authentication of the painting before finalizing the acquisition."
Word Nuance & Usage
In information security, 'authentication' is distinct from 'authorization': authentication verifies who a user is, whereas authorization determines what resources that verified user is permitted to access.
• Rhymes for authentication
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 18th century from the verb 'authenticate' plus the noun suffix '-ion', ultimately tracing back via Medieval Latin 'authenticatus' to Ancient Greek 'authentikos' ('original, genuine, principal').