# authentication

/ɔˌθɛntəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɔːθˌɛntɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/authentication
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 2. proving something is real

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of proving that an object, like a painting or a document, is genuine and not a fake.

For teachers: the formal process of validating that an item, document, or signature is genuine and originates from the claimed source.

- The gallery required expert authentication before they would buy the old painting.
- The museum's board refused to display the manuscript until a full authentication of the ink and parchment had been completed by the laboratory specialists.

### 3. a mark of quality

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

a special mark on metal, like gold or silver, that proves it is high quality.

For teachers: a physical mark, such as a hallmark or assay-mark, placed on metalwork to certify its purity or origin.

- Look for the small authentication mark on the inside of the silver ring.
- The collector examined the base of the teapot, searching for the specific authentication that would link it to the eighteenth-century silversmith.

## Examples

- The app requires authentication before you can log in.
- Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts.
- Modern systems rely on multi-layered authentication protocols to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive financial data.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.