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
Starlight filtered through its atmosphere, carrying the fingerprints of atmospheric molecules to the telescope.
—
Daniel Apai, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Researchers detected chemical fingerprints of at least one, if not two, molecules—dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet outside of our solar system, 124 light years away from Earth.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the astronomers, led by the University of Cambridge, have detected the chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, which orbits its star in the habitable zone.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
The sculpture, which resembles a giant blood-red fingerprint, is inscribed with the names of 50 Apsáalooke chiefs who were coerced by the U.S. government into using their thumbprints to cede their tribal lands.
—Lauren Gallow, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fingerprint
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Daniel Apai, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Researchers detected chemical fingerprints of at least one, if not two, molecules—dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet outside of our solar system, 124 light years away from Earth.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the astronomers, led by the University of Cambridge, have detected the chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, which orbits its star in the habitable zone.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
The sculpture, which resembles a giant blood-red fingerprint, is inscribed with the names of 50 Apsáalooke chiefs who were coerced by the U.S. government into using their thumbprints to cede their tribal lands.
—Lauren Gallow, New York Times, 14 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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