confirmation

noun con·fir·ma·tion \ ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of confirmation

1 : an act or process of confirming: such as

a (1) : a Christian rite conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit and among Protestants full church membership

(2) : a ceremony especially of Reform Judaism confirming youths in their faith

b : the ratification of an executive act by a legislative body

the confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee

2 a : confirming proof : corroboration

found confirmation of a theory

The report needed confirmation.

b : the process of supporting a statement by evidence

—

confirmational

play \ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See confirmation defined for English-language learners

See confirmation defined for kids

Examples of confirmation in a Sentence

Reporters awaited confirmation from the army about the battle.
We don't have independent confirmation of the facts.
Final confirmation came only after the investigation was completed.
You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your order.
You will receive confirmation of your order by e-mail.
Many senators are opposed to his confirmation as a federal judge.

Recent Examples of confirmation from the Web

That is not the sort of thing Secretary Ryan Zinke promised during his confirmation grilling last year.

— The Economist, "The parable of the sage grouse," 3 May 2018
Jackson was supposed to face a confirmation hearing Wednesday, but that ain’t happening now.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Hearing Postponed for Trump VA Nominee Dr. Ronny Jackson Amid Overprescribing, Drinking Allegations: Report," 24 Apr. 2018
Many Democrats loudly oppose Grenell and are refusing to give consent for a quick vote on his confirmation, even though there are likely enough GOP votes to confirm him.

— daniella diaz, CNN, "Confirmation for Trump's nominee for ambassador to Germany is held up," 23 Apr. 2018
Their yes votes seemingly clear the path for his confirmation.

— andrew rafferty, NBC News, "Red state Dems breaking for Pompeo," 23 Apr. 2018
Trump has nominated Pompeo to be U.S. secretary of state but Pompeo isn’t in Toronto as his confirmation faces opposition in the Senate.

— charmaine noronha, The Seattle Times, "US envoy: Trump leads on N. Korea as G7 ministers meet," 22 Apr. 2018
Other than that and his Thursday confirmation of the meeting to The Enquirer, it's been radio silence publicly from Mack and Xavier officials.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Chris Mack to meet with Louisville officials this weekend," 22 Mar. 2018
The intelligence committee's vote on both nominees was unanimous, meaning that every Democrat and every Republican member of the committee supported their confirmation by the full Senate.

— Newsweek, "Analysis," 14 Mar. 2018
The deposition request was denied while his confirmation to that post was pending.

— kartikay mehrotra, Bloomberg.com, "Teenagers Defeat Trump’s Move to Kill Climate Change Lawsuit," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confirmation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of confirmation

see confirm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

confirmation Synonyms

CONFIRMATION Defined for English Language Learners

confirmation

noun

Definition of confirmation for English Language Learners

: proof which shows that something is true or correct
: a response which shows that information is received and understood; especially : a response that makes a purchase, appointment, etc., definite or official
: the act of giving official approval to something or someone

CONFIRMATION Defined for Kids

confirmation

noun con·fir·ma·tion \ ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən \

Definition of confirmation for Students

1 : an act of ensuring the truth of, strengthening, or approving

2 : a religious ceremony admitting a person to full privileges in a church or synagogue

3 : something that ensures the truth of, strengthens, or approves

He received a confirmation of his order.

Law Dictionary

confirmation

noun con·fir·ma·tion \ ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən \

legal Definition of confirmation

1 : the act or process of confirming, assuring, or upholding

seeking confirmation of the agreement

; specifically : the ratification of an executive act by a legislative body

senate confirmation of the Supreme Court nominee

2 : something that confirms: as

a : an express or implied contract by which a person makes a voidable agreement binding; specifically : a definite expression or written memorandum that verifies or substantiates an agreement previously made orally or informally

b in the civil law of Louisiana : a declaration whereby a person corrects the parts of an obligation that are null to make them enforceable

c : a conveyance by which valid title to an estate is transferred to a person already in possession or by which an estate is increased