Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to biometrics: "biometric" refers to the measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics. It is used especially in technology for identification and access control.

2. Noun (rare, technical):

   • A biometric measurement: In specialized contexts, "biometric" can refer to a specific measurable characteristic, such as a fingerprint or iris pattern.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The company uses biometric authentication to secure its buildings. (Authentication based on unique physical traits like fingerprints or face scans.)
  • Biometric data, such as voice patterns, is stored in a secure database. (Data derived from measuring biological features.)

• Noun:

  • The system recorded each user's biometrics for verification. (The specific physical measurements used for identification.)

Advanced Usage

• "Biometric passport": a passport that contains an embedded microchip with the holder's biometric data (e.g., facial image, fingerprints).

  • Many countries now issue biometric passports to reduce fraud. (Passports with digital security features.)

• "Biometric sensor": a device that reads and processes biometric data.

  • The smartphone's biometric sensor can unlock the phone with a fingerprint. (A sensor that scans unique physical traits.)

Variants and Related Words

• Biometrics (noun): the field of study or technology involving biometric measurements.

  • Biometrics is widely used in security systems. (The science of identifying people by their traits.)

• Biometrician (noun): a specialist in biometrics.

  • The biometrician analyzed the data from the facial recognition system. (An expert in biometric measurement.)

Synonyms

• Biological: relating to living organisms (broader, less specific).
• Physiological: relating to the physical functions of the body (used for traits like heart rate).
• Morphological: relating to form or structure (e.g., bone structure).

Related Idioms

• None common. The term "biometric" is primarily technical and not used in idiomatic expressions.

Phrasal Verbs

• None. "Biometric" is not used as part of phrasal verbs.

Notes

• The word "biometric" is derived from Greek "bios" (life) and "metron" (measure). It is increasingly common in modern technology contexts, such as smartphones, airports, and banking.