accredit

verb

ac·​cred·​it ə-ˈkre-dət 

accredited; accrediting; accredits

transitive verb

1

: to give official authorization to or approval of:

a

: to provide with credentials

especially : to send (an envoy) with letters of authorization

accredit an ambassador to France

b

: to recognize or vouch for as conforming with a standard

The program was accredited by the American Dental Association.

c

: to recognize (an educational institution) as maintaining standards that qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions or for professional practice

2

: to consider or recognize as outstanding

an accredited scientist

3

: attribute, credit

an invention accredited to the company's founder

accreditable

ə-ˈkre-də-tə-bəl 

adjective

accreditation

ə-ˌkre-də-ˈtā-shən 

-ˈdā-

noun

Synonyms

• ascribe
• attribute
• chalk up
• credit
• impute
• lay
• put down

Choose the Right Synonym for accredit

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of.

approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college

must be certified to teach

Examples of accredit in a Sentence

The association only accredits programs that meet its high standards.

The program was accredited by the American Dental Association.

The invention of scuba gear is accredited to Jacques Cousteau.

accredit an ambassador to France

Recent Examples on the Web

The Akron Zoo is taking part in the Snowy Owl Species Survival Plan, a breeding plan that works to ensure genetic diversity in species across zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. —Megan Becka, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2023

As Innovia’s ex-CEO Mark Hurtubise wrote in Sludge, the Council on Foundations, the accrediting body for community foundations, could incorporate a serious diversity, equity, and inclusion policy into its national standards. —Alex Kotch, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2023

But medical schools have resisted, claiming changes might put them at risk with the national accrediting body. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 25 July 2023

Here are some examples in the Milwaukee area: Fiserv Forum has been accredited as a sensory inclusive venue by nonprofit organization KultureCity and has dedicated sensory rooms and sensory bags with things like noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 23 June 2023

Born July 18 to the zoo’s female clouded leopard, Rukai, and a male named JD, the kitten is the first clouded leopard cub at a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) this year. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2023

There are less than 100 Amur tigers in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, according to a previous press release. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Aug. 2023

Raz could remain as Ambassador, the diplomatic note said, but all other Afghan diplomats accredited in the U.S. would be terminated, and their diplomatic visas would be cancelled. —Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2023

Several libraries across the state are accredited by the American Library Association, the oldest and largest library association in the world. —Rebecca Griesbach | [e-mail], al, 5 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Latin accrēditus, past participle of accrēdere "to give credence to, believe, put faith in," from ad- ad- + crēdere "to entrust, believe" — more at creed

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

accredit

verb

ac·​cred·​it ə-ˈkred-ət 

1

: to send with credentials and authority to act as representative

accredit an ambassador to France

2

: to certify as in agreement with a standard

an accredited school

3

: to give credit to

accreditation

ə-ˌkred-ə-ˈtā-shən 

-ˈdā-

noun