password

[pas-wurd, pahs-] /ˈpæsˌwɜrd, ˈpɑs-/
noun
1.
a secret word or expression used by authorized persons to prove their right to access, information, etc.
2.
a word or other string of characters, sometimes kept secret or confidential, that must be supplied by a user in order to gain full or partial access to a multiuser computer system or its data resources.
Compare countersign.
Origin
1810-20; pass + word
Synonyms
1. watchword.
British Dictionary definitions for passwords

password

/ˈpɑːsˌwɜːd/
noun
1.
a secret word, phrase, etc, that ensures admission or acceptance by proving identity, membership, etc
2.
an action, quality, etc, that gains admission or acceptance
3.
a sequence of characters used to gain access to a computer system
Word Origin and History for passwords

password

n.

"word appointed as a sign to distinguish friend from foe," 1798, from pass (v.) + word (n.).