rfid

rfid — noun

1. a system that uses small electronic tags and radio signals to identify objects,

1.nounB2
Definition

a system that uses small electronic tags and radio signals to identify objects, animals, or people without needing to touch them or see them directly.

Example

The public library in Taipei uses RFID tags on all its books to prevent theft.

collocation: RFID tags

Noor's cat has an RFID chip under its skin so the vet can identify her if lost.

collocation: RFID chip

Common collocations
  • RFID tag
  • RFID chip
  • RFID reader
  • RFID system
  • RFID technology
  • active RFID
  • passive RFID
Synonyms
  • barcode

    an older, simpler identification system that uses printed black lines instead of radio signals; cheaper but needs direct line-of-sight scanning

  • NFC

    a related short-range wireless technology used for contactless payments; NFC is a type of RFID that works only at very close distances

Usage Note

RFID is an uncountable noun — you cannot say 'an RFID.' To refer to a single device, use 'an RFID tag', 'an RFID chip', or 'an RFID reader.' The word is often used as a modifier before another noun.

Common Mistakes

The delivery company put an RFID on every package.
The delivery company put an RFID tag on every package.
RFID is the name of the system, not the physical tag itself.

2. the full form of the letters R-F-I-D, meaning Radio-Frequency Identification.

2.nounB2
Definition

the full form of the letters R-F-I-D, meaning Radio-Frequency Identification.

Example

On the first day of class, the teacher explained that RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification.

collocation: stands for

Joon learned that RFID is short for Radio-Frequency Identification in his engineering class.

collocation: is short for

Common collocations
  • stands for
  • is short for
  • meaning

Usage Note

This sense only explains what the abbreviation stands for. When talking about how the technology works or is used, use sense 1 (TRACKING TECHNOLOGY) instead.

Word family

  • RFID tag
    nounB2
  • RFID chip
    nounB2
  • RFID reader
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

RFID, barcodes, and NFC are all technologies used to identify objects or communicate information, but they work differently. A barcode is the oldest and cheapest system — it uses printed black-and-white lines that a laser must scan directly. Barcodes cannot be read if the label is dirty or hidden. RFID does not need line-of-sight: a reader picks up the radio signal from a tag even if it is inside a box or under an animal's skin, making it much more convenient for inventory tracking and pet identification. NFC (near-field communication) is a type of RFID that only works at very short distances (a few centimetres) and is commonly used for contactless payments. Unlike general RFID, NFC allows two-way communication and works well with smartphones. If you need to scan items quickly from a distance, choose RFID. For a simple shelf label, a barcode is enough. For tap-to-pay, you need NFC.

RFID ↗barcode ↗NFC

Etymology

English (acronym)English (coined term)

RFID was invented as a technical acronym in the 1940s, when engineers developed radio-based systems for identifying friendly aircraft during World War II (IFF — Identification Friend or Foe). The term 'Radio-Frequency Identification' was later adopted in the 1970s and 1980s as the technology was scaled down for commercial uses such as tracking goods and animals.