44 Across

NYT Daily • August 3, 2025

D.M.V.-issued card authenticated by airport security

Answer:

REALID

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue:\n\n*\"It’s a type of identification that meets federal standards—think of the word for 'genuine' combined with a common abbreviation for 'identification.'\"*\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the components of the answer (\"real\" + \"ID\") without directly stating it, while also reinforcing the context of federal compliance."]

Explanation:

Certainly! Here's a clear and concise explanation of how the clue leads to the answer **"REALID"**: The clue **"D.M.V.-issued card authenticated by airport security"** breaks down as follows: 1. **"D.M.V.-issued card"** – This refers to a **driver's license** or **identification card**, commonly issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The term **"ID"** is a natural abbreviation for "identification." 2. **"Authenticated by airport security"** – This hints at the **REAL ID Act**, a U.S. federal law that sets security standards for state-issued IDs, making them acceptable for federal purposes like airport security. The word **"REAL"** is directly tied to this legislation. Combining these elements: - **"REAL"** (from the REAL ID Act) + **"ID"** (from the DMV-issued card) = **"REALID"**. The wordplay relies on recognizing the **REAL ID Act** as a key reference, merging it with the common abbreviation for identification. The clue cleverly blends a government-issued document with its security validation process.