1 fingerprint | Definition of fingerprint
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

fingerprint

noun
fin·​ger·​print | \ ˈfiÅ‹-gÉ™r-ËŒprint How to pronounce fingerprint (audio) \

Definition of fingerprint

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

Illustration of fingerprint

Illustration of fingerprint

fingerprint 1: 1 arch, 2 loop, 3 whorl, 4 composite

Other Words from fingerprint Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fingerprint

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from fingerprint

fingerprint transitive verb

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 truth is that the gas company’s fingerprints are all over the creation of C4BES. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: SoCal Gas accused of setting up an ‘astro-turf’ group to plead its case to regulators," 8 Aug. 2019 Though Trollhunter and The Autopsy of Jane Doe helmer André Øvredal competently handles directorial duties, del Toro's fingerprints are all over the final product, for better and for worse. — Keith Uhlich, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark': Film Review," 8 Aug. 2019 Brockway's fingerprints were on several of those items as well as a cash envelope, a lab technician testified at Rosser’s trial. — Dallas News, "Boyfriend in McKinney murder-for-hire scheme faces life in prison next week," 21 June 2019 Investigators later determined that the can bore Lachazo’s fingerprints. — Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, "A deadly delivery: 75-year-old woman bashed with mallet and set on fire," 21 Aug. 2019 In late 2018, when Western Journal was suspended, a search for some of the site’s most prominent bylines yielded no digital fingerprints beyond Liftable. — Justin Bank, New York Times, "Big Tech, a Conservative Provocateur and the Fight Over Disinformation," 21 Aug. 2019 On the morning of June 10, a criminalist took fingerprints and palm prints for Downs and identified him that afternoon. — oregonlive.com, "‘I have a knife. I have a bomb. And I have a hostage’: Portland police release details from fatal June officer-involved shooting," 21 Aug. 2019 With the help of elders such as Amadasu, Kupa is also working to log every N.B.M. member in a database, including personal details and fingerprints. — Sean Williams, Harper's magazine, "The Black Axe," 19 Aug. 2019 Jones wasn’t just telling the history of slavery and how its fingerprints can be found all over the nation. — J. Brian Charles, Vox, "What the conservative critics of the New York Times’s 1619 Project miss.," 18 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fingerprint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of fingerprint

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for fingerprint

fingerprint

noun
How to pronounce fingerprint (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of fingerprint

: the mark that is made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
: a mark of this kind made in ink for the purpose of identifying a person
: something (such as genetic material) that can be used to identify a person

See the full definition for fingerprint in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fingerprint

noun
fin·​ger·​print | \ ˈfiÅ‹-gÉ™r-ËŒprint How to pronounce fingerprint (audio) \

Kids Definition of fingerprint

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

fingerprint

verb
fingerprinted; fingerprinting

Kids Definition of fingerprint (Entry 2 of 2)

: to obtain fingerprints in order to identify a person

fingerprint

noun
fin·​ger·​print | \ -ËŒprint How to pronounce fingerprint (audio) \

Medical Definition of fingerprint

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!