(1) An item that is the equivalent of something else. In the physical world, tokens take the place of coins and tickets. In the digital world, tokens are data, often numerical, that represent other data. See
authentication token.
(2) For tokens in crypto, see
crypto token and
NFT.
(3) For tokens in AI, see
AI token.
(4) A frame in a communications network. See
token passing.
(5) A dynamically assigned number for a Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) credit or debit card transaction. The token is used in place of the "primary account number" (PAN) on the card. See
EMV.
(6) In programming, a string of characters. For example, in the C expression
#define MAXAMOUNT 50000, MAXAMOUNT is the token.