accession number
An "accession number" is a unique identifier assigned to items or sequences in various collections and databases for tracking and reference purposes.
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Definition
B2Libraries and Museums
(formal, technical)A unique identifier assigned to each new acquisition to catalog and track items.
Example
- The museum assigned an accession number to the newly acquired painting.
C1Bioinformatics
(technical, academic)A distinctive code given to a DNA or protein sequence in a database to ensure precise identification.
Example
- Researchers used the accession number to locate the specific gene sequence in the database.
B2Databases
(technical)A unique identifier assigned to an article or document within a database for easy retrieval.
Example
- The accession number helped the librarian quickly find the journal article in the database.