confirmation

noun

con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən 

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

ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of confirmation

• evidence
• proof
• testimony
• documentation
• testament

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 on the Web

Why violence spread after the killing After confirmation of Oseguera’s death, coordinated violence broke out across multiple regions. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026

The conservatorship ended in 2021, according to the outlet, which cited confirmation from a clerk for the Los Angeles Superior Court. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026

Harris, whose confirmation was held up because of the controversy last year, oversaw the Hope Florida Foundation as secretary of the Department of Children and Families in 2024. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026

The athletic department at Georgia, where Braxton played in college, texted The Associated Press confirmation of her death on Monday and posted on social media. —Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see confirm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing confirmation

• gender confirmation surgery

Rhymes for confirmation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

confirmation

noun

con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

: an act or process of confirming

2

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

3

: something that confirms : proof

confirmatory

kən-ˈfər-mə-ˌtōr-ē, 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Legal Definition

confirmation

noun

con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən 

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