identity

noun

iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden-tə-tē How to pronounce identity (audio)
ə-,
-ˈde-nə-
plural identities
1
a
: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual : individuality
b
: the relation established by psychological identification
2
: the condition of being the same with something described or asserted
establish the identity of stolen goods
3
a
: sameness of essential or generic character in different instances
b
: sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : oneness
4
: an equation that is satisfied for all values of the symbols
5

Examples of identity in a Sentence

The identity of the criminal is not known. They produced their passports as proof of their identities. They arrested the wrong man. It was a case of mistaken identity. As children grow, they establish their own identities. people who seem to lack individual identity His art reflects his cultural identity.
Recent Examples on the Web Police said the women left Layman without giving any information about his identity or theirs. Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 The identity of the victim was not immediately released. Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 23 Mar. 2024 The identity of the accuser was not known at the time, but it has since been revealed as Bell. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2024 The change in the weather has had an outsize impact on the festivals, events and tourism that define the Great Lakes identity and produce the income of those living and working there. Whitney Wild, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Alex Zaragoza is a television writer and journalist covering culture and identity. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 Things To Consider While they aren’t certified by one of our preferred third-party organizations, Pure Encapsulation’s ingredients are tested for identity, potency, contaminants, metals, and allergens. Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024 The identity of the man who was shot was not made available. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024 Authorities did not release the name of the person killed pending confirmation of their identity and notification of their next of kin. Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'identity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French identité, from Late Latin identitat-, identitas, probably from Latin identidem repeatedly, contraction of idem et idem, literally, same and same

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of identity was in 1545

Dictionary Entries Near identity

Cite this Entry

“Identity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

identity

noun
iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē How to pronounce identity (audio)
ə-ˈden(t)-
plural identities
1
: the condition of being exactly alike : sameness
2
3
: the fact of being the same person or thing as claimed
prove one's identity
4

Medical Definition

identity

noun
iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē, ə-ˈ How to pronounce identity (audio)
plural identities
1
: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual
2
: the relation established by psychological identification

Legal Definition

identity

noun
iden·​ti·​ty
plural identities
1
: sameness of essential character or aspect
collateral estoppel requires identity of the issues and the parties
2
a
: separate or distinct existence
when movables lose their identity or become an integral part of the immovableLouisiana Civil Code
b
: distinguishing character of a person
especially : information (as a name or address) that distinguishes a person
is required to reveal the identity of an informer
but for a mistake concerning the proper party's identity Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 15(c)
3
: the condition of being the same as a thing or person described, claimed, or accused
character evidence of a suspect's past crimes may be admitted to prove the identity of a crime's perpetrator

More from Merriam-Webster on identity

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