fingerprint

UK: /ˈfɪŋgə^rprɪnt/ US: /ˈfɪŋgɚˌprɪnt/ ,(fing′gər print′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fin•ger•print /ˈfɪŋgɚˌprɪnt/   n. [countable]

1. an impression of the markings of the tip of the thumb or other finger, esp. for purposes of identification.

v. [~ + object]

2. to take or record the fingerprints of:
   The police fingerprinted the suspect at headquarters.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fin•ger•print  (fing′gər print′), n. 

1. an impression of the markings of the inner surface of the last joint of the thumb or other finger.
2. such an impression made with ink for purposes of identification.
3. Biochemistry any unique or distinctive pattern that presents unambiguous evidence of a specific person, substance, disease, etc.

v.t. 

4. to take or record the fingerprints of.

• finger + print 1855–60

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fingerprint / ˈfɪŋɡəˌprɪnt/ noun

1. an impression of the pattern of ridges on the palmar surface of the end joint of each finger and thumb
2. any identifying characteristic
3. the pattern of fragments obtained when a protein is digested by a proteolytic enzyme, usually observed following two-dimensional separation by chromatography and electrophoresis

verb

1. (transitive) to take an inked impression of the fingerprints of (a person)
2. to take a sample of (a person's) DNA