certification

noun

cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsər-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of certifying : the state of being certified

2

: a certified statement

Synonyms of certification

• certificate

Examples of certification in a Sentence

the certification of the vote

She had to wait until her certification as a nurse before she could start her new job.

The certifications of nine teachers were revoked.

The school offers scuba diving certification.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prime contractors can provide certification, production, integration and access to government buyers. — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Missions in Lane 2 can only launch on rockets that go through the military’s lengthy certification reviews. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026

The firm’s sub-regional 600kW powertrain (using standard low-temperature fuel cells) is already targeting certification for 9- to 19-seat aircraft (such as the Cessna Caravan or Dornier 228). — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026

The certification from DarkSky International follows Sun Valley Resort’s focus on limiting artificial light on the mountain and growing public awareness around light pollution. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing certification

• certification mark

Rhymes for certification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

certification

noun

cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsərt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

: the act of certifying : the state of being certified

psychiatrists with subspecialty board certification in geriatrics

—Gary Kennedy

Legal Definition

certification

noun

cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsər-ti-fi-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the act of certifying

b

: the state of being certified see also certiorari

Note: Certification of an interlocutory decision by a trial court allows an appellate court to review the decision and to answer a controlling question of law. Certification is often used in state courts as well as federal courts and, where available, allows a federal court to refer a question of state law to the state's highest court. Certification is also used to refer to a judge's order that allows a suit to be maintained as a class action.

2

: a certified statement