identification

identification — noun

1. the act of saying or discovering who a person is or what a thing is, often by ex

1.nounB2
Definition

the act of saying or discovering who a person is or what a thing is, often by examining its features or by comparing it to known facts.

Example

A police officer showed Tara photos for the identification of a suspect in the case.

identification + of + a person

Early identification of lung cancer can greatly improve a patient's chances of recovery.

early identification + of + disease

Common collocations
  • identification of a suspect
  • identification of a disease
  • early identification
  • quick identification
  • positive identification
  • for identification purposes
Synonyms
  • recognition

    focuses on remembering something seen before; less formal than 'identification'

  • detection

    stresses noticing the presence of something hidden or unclear

  • classification

    placing into a group or category rather than naming exactly

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

identification + of + person/thing

identification + as + category

for identification purposes

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense — you do not say 'an identification' when referring to the process of recognizing someone or something. Frequently followed by 'of' + the person or thing being recognized. Common in medical, scientific, and law-enforcement contexts.

Common Mistakes

The doctor did a identification of the virus.
The doctor identified the virus.
This sense is uncountable; use the verb 'identify' when describing a single act of recognition.

2. an official document such as a passport or driver's licence, carried to confirm

2.nounB1
Definition

an official document such as a passport or driver's licence, carried to confirm your identity when asked by a person in authority.

Example

All passengers must show valid photo identification before boarding an international flight.

show/photo identification

Rodrigo applied for new identification after his wallet was stolen on a crowded bus.

Common collocations
  • photo identification
  • valid identification
  • proof of identification
  • form of identification
  • show identification
  • carry identification
Synonyms
  • ID

    informal short form; by far the most common in everyday speech

  • credentials

    formal; can include documents beyond identity, such as qualifications

  • papers

    informal; specifically refers to official documents like passports

Grammar Patterns

show/produce identification

form of identification

photo identification

Usage Note

Can be countable ('show an identification') or uncountable ('show identification') — both are natural. In informal conversation, often shortened to 'ID' ('I need to see your ID'). Usually involves a government-issued document with a photo.

Common Mistakes

I left my identification card at home.
I left my identification at home.
'Identification' already refers to the document; adding 'card' is redundant for most contexts. Say 'ID card' if you need to specify the type.

3. a feeling of being emotionally or psychologically connected to a person, a group

3.nounC1
Definition

a feeling of being emotionally or psychologically connected to a person, a group, or a character, which makes you understand them, support them, or adopt some of their qualities.

Example

Many fans feel a strong sense of identification with their home team's players.

sense of identification + with + group

The novel creates a deep identification between the reader and its main character.

Common collocations
  • identification with a character
  • identification with a group
  • strong identification
  • sense of identification
  • deep identification
  • feel identification
Synonyms
  • bond

    warmer, less formal; implies mutual connection rather than one-sided feeling

  • empathy

    focuses on understanding another's feelings rather than adopting their traits

  • affinity

    a natural liking or attraction toward someone or something

Antonyms
  • alienation

    a feeling of being separate from or not belonging to a group

  • detachment

    emotional distance or lack of connection

Grammar Patterns

identification + with + person/group

sense/feeling of identification

strong/deep identification

Usage Note

Uncountable — always used without 'a/an'. Always followed by 'with' + the target person, group, or character. Common in psychology (discussing child development or group identity) and in discussions of literature, film, and fandom.

Common Mistakes

She has identification to the singer.
She feels a strong identification with the singer.
Use 'with', not 'to', after 'identification' in this sense.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Identification, recognition, detection, and verification all involve knowing or discovering something, but each highlights a different stage. Identification is the process of matching something observed to a known name or category — for example, identifying a bird species by its song and markings. Recognition focuses on remembering something from past experience: you might recognize a former classmate's face even if you cannot recall their name. Detection is about noticing the presence of something hidden or not obvious, such as detecting a gas leak or early signs of disease. Verification is a formal check that something is true or correct, like verifying a signature on a contract. Classification, common in science, means assigning something to a broad group rather than giving it a specific name. In daily life, identification is the broadest term: it can cover everything from recognizing a friend's voice on the phone to presenting a passport at the airport.

recognition ↗detection ↗verification ↗classification ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • for identification purposes
  • means of identification
  • form of identification

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word identification comes from the Latin 'idem' meaning 'the same', combined with 'facere' meaning 'to make'. It entered English through French in the 17th century, first with the philosophical meaning of 'making identical'. By the 19th century, the modern meanings of proving who someone is and recognizing things had become established.