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
Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence
Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.
Everyone has a unique fingerprint.
Recent Examples on the Web
Authorities also found a bloody fingerprint on the truck’s tailgate, as well as Decker’s dog, which was taken to a humane society for care.
—
Holly Yan, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Its natural acidity cuts through fingerprints, grease, and bacteria without scratching surfaces.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
The department’s undersheriff accepted most of the findings and said the department has implemented changes to address them, including the repair of a broken fingerprint machine used to accurately identify people who are arrested.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
The 16 Plus includes a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button and an infrared webcam for Windows Hello for biometric, password-free logins.
—Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fingerprint
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Holly Yan, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Its natural acidity cuts through fingerprints, grease, and bacteria without scratching surfaces.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
The department’s undersheriff accepted most of the findings and said the department has implemented changes to address them, including the repair of a broken fingerprint machine used to accurately identify people who are arrested.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
The 16 Plus includes a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button and an infrared webcam for Windows Hello for biometric, password-free logins.
—Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fingerprint
Cite this Entry
“Fingerprint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fingerprint. Accessed 21 Sep. 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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