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Glite Dictionary
personal identification number

personal identification number

1 3.0
A secret number you use to prove who you are and open accounts
  • noun
  • /ˈpɜrsənl ˌaɪdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən nʌmbər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : número de identificación personal
  • In Europe, chip cards are used with a personal identification number, or PIN, instead of a signature.
  • enter your personal identification number

Examples

  • Our system of four-digit personal identification numbers, or PINs, is designed to use the 10,000 different four-digit codes available on a 0-9 keypad to make it close to impossible for thieves to guess what we've chosen.

    Blog text (13)

  • A personal identification number (PIN) is a secret number assigned to or selected by the holder of a debit or credit card used in an electronic funds transfer (EFT) system.

    Academic text (1999)

  • As soon as you register, we'll fax you a personal identification number for the program and instructions on where to call to connect with What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Election Law teleconference at 1 p.m. (ET) on Oct. 16.

    Academic text (2002)

  • SNAP benefits are accessed by swiping the EBT card on a point-of-sale (POS) terminal at an FNS retailer location and entering a personal identification number (PIN).

    Blog text (11)

  • When shopping online, customers stick the card in the reader and punch in their personal identification number.

  • Request a personal identification number instead of your Social Security number for phone access to bank accounts.

Synonyms

PIN
vspersonal identification number
71 3.2

A secret number you enter to access bank accounts or cards

is the general secure code term without specifying digit length
PIN number
vspersonal identification number
5 1.8

A secret number that lets you access bank or phone accounts

is the full formal name rather than the abbreviated everyday form

How Secure

two-step
  • Texting
3 3.9
password
281 2.5
personal identification number
  • Specialized
1 3.0

Surface Forms

personal identification number singular
personal identification numbers plural

Morphology

personal + identification + number

The meaning 'a numerical code used to verify identity' is directly and predictably built from 'personal' (relating to a person) + 'identification' (establishing identity) + 'number' (a numeric identifier). This is a regular compositional technical phrase with direct equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer its meaning.

Etymology

Personal identification number comes from banking practice: people began using a short secret number that showed their identification was personal when they used a bank machine. So it means a private code that 'proves who you are' and 'lets you access' accounts.