cer·tif·i·cate
(ˌ)sər-ˈti-fi-kət 
1
: a document containing a certified statement especially as to the truth of something
specifically
: a document certifying that one has fulfilled the requirements of and may practice in a field
2
: something serving the same end as a certificate
3
: a document evidencing ownership or debt
a stock certificate
cer·tif·i·cate
(ˌ)sər-ˈti-fə-ˌkāt
certificated; certificating
: to testify to or authorize by a certificate
especially
: certify sense 4
Examples of certificate in a Sentence
Noun
She has a certificate in midwifery.
He earned his teaching certificate last year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Sep. 2023
The bonds would include $24.5 million in taxable certificates of obligation toward the airport’s corporate hangar project and customs facility, both to be repaid with airport revenues.
—Haeven Gibbons, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
Lifetime access comes with unlimited domains, add-on domains, subdomains, email boxes, MySQL databases, and SSL certificates.
—Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 4 Sep. 2023
Further complicating that plan are motions for a speedy trial filed earlier his month by Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, two of the attorneys alleged to have helped Trump carry out a plot to fabricate state elector certificates.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut all require a safe boating certificate, and Maine recently passed a law that will require it beginning next year.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
Copies of important paperwork: Keep photocopies of important household paperwork such as proof of address, driver's license, insurance, adoption papers, or naturalization certificates.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
According to the certificate, Chase died of acute liver failure, a variceal bleed, and liver cirrhosis.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Aug. 2023
Shafer also served as a fake elector, signing the certificate himself.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2023
Amy Gardner, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2023
And in contrast to the handwritten vaccine certificates that Americans must keep safe, Indians can download their proof of vaccination at any time, alongside an outsize photograph of Modi to remind them who deserves their grateful votes.
—Vinay Sitapati, Foreign Affairs, 24 Nov. 2021
Such measurable outcomes include the number of degrees and certificates a college awards; the number of students who transfer to a four-year university; and the number of students who complete at least 15 hours of courses that apply toward academic and workforce program requirements.
—Valeria Olivares, Dallas News, 9 June 2023
Arthur Walker, procurement director at Wayne County, said business owners that want to work with the county need to have general liability insurance and a fair employment practices certificate.
—Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2023
Can certificate programs help bridge the gap to better employment, and help companies fill labor shortages?
—Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 May 2023
Some have likely since earned a high school degree or GED certificate even if they have not been officially accounted for in the K-12 system, said Maria Clayton, a spokesperson for the state Department of Education.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2023
In open session, the board approved a 6.56 percent raise for classified management, certificated management, non-represented employees, supervisory and confidential employees for 2022-23, retroactive to July 1, 2022.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2023
The board also approved a one-time, 3 percent bonus for classified and certificated staff except the superintendent.
—Laura Groch
feb. 19, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2023
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Noun
Ensure the product has undergone third-party lab testing, and the company provides certificates of analysis (COAs) to verify the product's safety and potency.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Sep. 2023
The bonds would include $24.5 million in taxable certificates of obligation toward the airport’s corporate hangar project and customs facility, both to be repaid with airport revenues.
—Haeven Gibbons, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
Lifetime access comes with unlimited domains, add-on domains, subdomains, email boxes, MySQL databases, and SSL certificates.
—Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 4 Sep. 2023
Further complicating that plan are motions for a speedy trial filed earlier his month by Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, two of the attorneys alleged to have helped Trump carry out a plot to fabricate state elector certificates.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut all require a safe boating certificate, and Maine recently passed a law that will require it beginning next year.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
Copies of important paperwork: Keep photocopies of important household paperwork such as proof of address, driver's license, insurance, adoption papers, or naturalization certificates.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
According to the certificate, Chase died of acute liver failure, a variceal bleed, and liver cirrhosis.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Aug. 2023
Shafer also served as a fake elector, signing the certificate himself.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2023
Verb
After the call, campaign officials circulated language to add to the Pennsylvania elector certificates to be submitted to Washington asserting that the votes were intended to count only if Trump prevailed in litigation in the state.
—Amy Gardner, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2023
And in contrast to the handwritten vaccine certificates that Americans must keep safe, Indians can download their proof of vaccination at any time, alongside an outsize photograph of Modi to remind them who deserves their grateful votes.
—Vinay Sitapati, Foreign Affairs, 24 Nov. 2021
Such measurable outcomes include the number of degrees and certificates a college awards; the number of students who transfer to a four-year university; and the number of students who complete at least 15 hours of courses that apply toward academic and workforce program requirements.
—Valeria Olivares, Dallas News, 9 June 2023
Arthur Walker, procurement director at Wayne County, said business owners that want to work with the county need to have general liability insurance and a fair employment practices certificate.
—Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2023
Can certificate programs help bridge the gap to better employment, and help companies fill labor shortages?
—Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 May 2023
Some have likely since earned a high school degree or GED certificate even if they have not been officially accounted for in the K-12 system, said Maria Clayton, a spokesperson for the state Department of Education.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2023
In open session, the board approved a 6.56 percent raise for classified management, certificated management, non-represented employees, supervisory and confidential employees for 2022-23, retroactive to July 1, 2022.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2023
The board also approved a one-time, 3 percent bonus for classified and certificated staff except the superintendent.
—Laura Groch
feb. 19, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'certificate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English certificat, from Medieval Latin certificatum, from Late Latin, neuter of certificatus, past participle of certificare to certify
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1802, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of certificate was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing certificate
Dictionary Entries Near certificate
Cite this Entry
“Certificate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certificate. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
certificate
noun
cer·tif·i·cate
(ˌ)sər-ˈtif-i-kət
1
: a document that is proof of some fact
especially
: one showing that a person has fulfilled the requirements of a school or profession
teaching certificate
2
: a document showing ownership
stock certificate
bond certificate
Legal Definition
certificate
1 of 2 noun
cer·tif·i·cate
sər-ˈti-fi-kət
1
a
: a document containing a certified statement especially as to the truth of something
a birth certificate
b
: a document certifying that a person has fulfilled the requirements of and may practice in a specified field
a teaching certificate
2
: certification
the signature…constitutes a certificate that the attorney or party has read the document—U.S. Code
U.S. Code3
: a document that is proof of ownership or indebtedness
stock certificates
gold certificates
certificate
2 of 2 transitive verb
cer·tif·i·cate
sər-ˈti-fi-ˌkāt
certificated; certificating
: to testify or authorize by a certificate
especially
: to recognize as having met special qualifications (as of a governmental agency or professional board) within a field see also certificated security at security
More from Merriam-Webster on certificate
Nglish: Translation of certificate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of certificate for Arabic Speakers
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