API Token

Definitions

1. A secret or signed token used to authenticate and authorize requests made to an API. API tokens vary in format and scope, but they commonly represent service identities, delegated permissions, or developer credentials for programmatic access.

   In plain English: A credential used by software to access an API.

   Example: "The integration failed after the old API token expired because the service had no automated rotation path."

Related Terms

• Metadata
• Hardware Token
• Long-Lived Token
• Physical Token
• API Client
• API Documentation
• API Endpoint
• API Error