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 decision is a collaborative one that includes our accrediting body, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. —Michael Nied, People.com, 23 May 2025

The West Coast Game Park Safari was not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, setting it apart from Oregon's three accredited zoos. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

The radiologic program at Triton College, which is in River Grove, is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and received a full eight-year accreditation in 2022. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

Now, the law will prevent the same for individuals training service dogs who are part of an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation to train service dogs. —Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025

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

Rhymes for accredit

• discredit
• noncredit
• credit
• dedit
• edit
• microcredit

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