American English

How to pronounce authentication

nounB2
awthehntuhKAYshn

/ɔˌθɛn.təˈkʰeɪ.ʃn̩/

5 syllables · Stress the fourth syllable.

The process of checking that a person, device, or system is really who or what it claims to be, usually before access is allowed.

What to listen for

You may hear “authentication” with /ɔˌθɛn.təˈkʰeɪ.ʃn̩/ or /ɑˌθɛn.təˈkʰeɪ.ʃn̩/ in American English; both are accepted. Pronuncia uses the first form as its main model.

Common pronunciation/ɔˌθɛn.təˈkʰeɪ.ʃn̩/
Common merged-vowel variant/ɑˌθɛn.təˈkʰeɪ.ʃn̩/
Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

nountechnical

The process of checking that a person, device, or system is really who or what it claims to be, usually before access is allowed.

The website requires authentication to view your account.

The app uses two steps for user authentication.

Good to know

In computer contexts, authentication checks who you are; authorization decides what you may do.

Common phrases & grammar

user authentication · two-factor authentication · authentication system

require authentication to + verb

authentication before + noun

nounformalless common

The process of proving that a document, signature, or object is real and not a copy or fake.

The museum requested authentication of the painting.

The document needs authentication before it can be used abroad.

Common phrases & grammar

document authentication

authentication of + noun

require authentication for + noun

Useful expressions

two-factor authentication

authentication that uses two different kinds of proof, such as a password and a code

Two-factor authentication protects my bank account.

authentication failed

the system could not confirm a person's identity

The message says, “Authentication failed.”

Related words & forms

authenticateverb meaning to prove that a person, device, or thing is genuineauthenticatordevice or app that helps check a person's identityauthenticityquality of being real or genuineauthenticadjective meaning real or genuine