Illustration of fingerprint
- 1 arch
- 2 loop
- 3 whorl
- 4 composite
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
Synonyms
Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence
Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.
Everyone has a unique fingerprint.
Recent Examples on the Web
Monken has been in Baltimore for two seasons and has put his fingerprints all over a dynamic Ravens offense.
—
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
But his fingerprints are everywhere, and his methods are unlike anything the federal government has ever seen.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025
Investigators found a fingerprint on the duct tape used to wrap Williams’ body that matched Hooper and, along with other eyewitness statements, led to his arrest, authorities said.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, the two shell casings that were recovered from the scene by Relli (real name Terell Ephron) and turned in to police two days after the altercation had no fingerprints.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fingerprint 
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Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
But his fingerprints are everywhere, and his methods are unlike anything the federal government has ever seen.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025
Investigators found a fingerprint on the duct tape used to wrap Williams’ body that matched Hooper and, along with other eyewitness statements, led to his arrest, authorities said.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, the two shell casings that were recovered from the scene by Relli (real name Terell Ephron) and turned in to police two days after the altercation had no fingerprints.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fingerprint
Dictionary Entries Near fingerprint
Cite this Entry
“Fingerprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fingerprint. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˌprin-tiŋ
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
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