biometric

adjective

bio·​met·​ric ˌbī-ō-ˈme-trik How to pronounce biometric (audio)
variants or less commonly biometrical
ˌbī-ō-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce biometric (audio)
: of, relating to, or utilizing biometrics or biometry

Examples of biometric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to some reports, travelers have faced long lines and even missed connecting flights as airports deal with growing pains during the transition to biometric kiosks. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 The event featured live music, free giveaways that included Chromebooks, gas cards and biometric gun safes, and presentations from guests who spoke about safety. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 There’s an ongoing arms race to protect identities and privacy in the age of facial recognition, biometric scanning and data collection. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 In the communist Chinese surveillance state, the authorities use facial recognition software, tracking systems and biometric databases that create holographic profiles of every person. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for biometric

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biometric was circa 1893

Rhymes for biometric

See All Rhymes for biometric

Browse Nearby Words

biometeorology
biometric
biometrics
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Biometric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biometric. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

biometric

adjective
bio·​met·​ric -ˈme-trik How to pronounce biometric (audio)
variants also biometrical
-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce biometric (audio)
1
: of or relating to biometry
the biometric analysis of infant mortality
2
: utilizing biometrics
biometric identification
: identifying individuals based on the analysis or measurement of unique physical or behavioral characteristics
Retina scanners are not the only example of biometric technology, which uses machines to identify people by their physical characteristics …—Discover

More from Merriam-Webster on biometric

Nglish: Translation of biometric for Spanish Speakers

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