accredit

1 of 2

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

accreditation

2 of 2

noun

ac·​cred·​i·​ta·​tion ə-ˌkre-də-ˈtā-shən  -ˈdā- 

plural -s

often attributive

: the act or process of accrediting

recently developed standards for the accreditation of junior colleges

a joint commission on accreditation of hospitals

: the state or fact of being accredited

ambassador in Rome with concurrent accreditation to Italy and Yugoslavia

—Current Biography

the accreditation status of an educational institution

Synonyms of accredit

Verb

• ascribe
• attribute

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

Verb

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

Verb

Terminix is not accredited by the BBB, but has an A+ rating. —Nick Perry, USA Today, 14 June 2026

Southwestern Seminary continues to be one of the largest and best resourced seminaries among the 280 seminaries accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, Dockery said in his letter. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026

The government has issued several notices, warning the public to avoid unreliable third-party vendors and to only buy from official or accredited sources. —Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2026

Now, after 35 years, Grauer accredits much of the school’s success to Encinitas and the strong sense of community. —Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

accredit + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1806, in the meaning defined above

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