credential

adjective

cre·den·tial | \ kri-ˈden(t)-shəl

Definition of credential

(Entry 1 of 3)

: warranting credit or confidence —used chiefly in the phrase credential letters

credential

noun

Definition of credential (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : something that gives a title to credit or confidence also : qualification sense 3a the applicant with the best credentials

2 credentials plural : testimonials or certified documents showing that a person is entitled to credit or has a right to exercise official power a doctor's credentials

3 : certificate, diploma

credential

verb

credentialed also credentialled; credentialing also credentialling

Definition of credential (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to furnish with credentials … to credential adequate academic performance …— K. Patricia Cross journalists who have been credentialed by the Secret Service

Examples of credential in a Sentence

Noun

My experience as a manager is my strongest credential.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

For accounts that require only a user name and password, hackers turn to free downloadable tools such as Sentry MBA or Hitman, known as credential stuffers. — Robert Mcmillan, WSJ, "Thieves Can Now Nab Your Data in a Few Minutes for a Few Bucks," 9 Dec. 2018 But the real victims of this credential inflation are the two-thirds of millennials who didn’t go to college. — Michelle Legro, Longreads, "The Downwardly Mobile Generation," 19 Dec. 2017 As school districts face fierce competition for teachers, the Natomas Unified School District is offering to cover most credential program costs, provide free use of a Macbook and give bonus pay for living within district boundaries. — Diana Lambert, sacbee, "This school district is offering new teacher bonuses and credential tuition payments," 1 Nov. 2017 This school district is offering new teacher bonuses and credential tuition payments Sacramento school board authorizes campus closures and removal of pickets if teachers strike Never miss a local story. — Ryan Lillis, sacbee, "Mayor says Sacramento teacher strike 'would be really damaging to everyone' | The Sacramento Bee," 3 Nov. 2017 From 1985 to 1988, Reagan Attorney General Edwin Meese—an early supporter of the society—helped groom and credential young conservative lawyers by giving key positions in the Justice Department to early leaders of the society. — Neal Devins, Slate Magazine, "How the Federalist Society became the de facto selector of Republican Supreme Court justices.," 31 Jan. 2017 States now credential interior designers, tree trimmers, and even florists. — Edward L. Glaeser, National Review, "The War on Work — and How to End It," 1 Aug. 2017 Last day of classes May 13-19: Semester exams May 19: Honors and scholars awards ceremony, ROTC Commissioning and Teacher Credential Ceremony May 20-21: Commencement exercises. — Wendy Fawthrop, Orange County Register, "CSUF graduating students get a jump on real-world jobs," 9 May 2017 May 19: Honors and scholars awards ceremony, ROTC Commissioning and Teacher Credential Ceremony May 20-21: Commencement exercises. — Wendy Fawthrop, Orange County Register, "CSUF graduating students get a jump on real-world jobs," 9 May 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

That's what happened to a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange when its founder, Gerry Cotten, was the only person who knew the credentials to access hundreds of millions of dollars worth of customer assets and died unexpectedly. — Alexander George, Popular Mechanics, "Crypto Exchange Founder's Untimely Death Leaves $190 Million Locked Away in Limbo," 4 Feb. 2019 Some Rider and Westminster professors have questioned Kaiwen’s credentials, citing the company’s high debt and negative cash flow. — David W. Chen, New York Times, "Rider Reaches Deal to Sell Westminster Choir College to Chinese Firm," 21 June 2018 Jeff Van Drew, a conservative state senator, took the Democratic nomination in the Second Congressional District despite challengers who questioned his progressive credentials. — Aubrey Nagle, Philly.com, "New Jersey primary results, Eagles and fans react to Trump controversy | Morning Newsletter," 6 June 2018 Then again, anyone questioning anyone's credentials based on MLS performance in March and April likely hasn't seen enough MLS to understand just how this league works. — Avi Creditor, SI.com, "The MLS XI, Week 12: Portland Picks up the Pace; Wins but Worry in New York," 21 May 2018 Rokita questioned Braun’s Republican credentials after the Associated Press reported Braun had voted in Democratic primaries until 2012. — Robert King, Indianapolis Star, "Mike Braun, a Republican Senate candidate, brings casual attire but serious business credentials," 12 Apr. 2018 News of the $60,000 payment to Dumas surprised state Rep. Jim Wayne, a Louisville Democrat who questioned Dumas' credentials as Bevin's chief adviser on adoption and foster care as well as the six-figure salary. — Deborah Yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Bevin's adoption 'czar' walks away with $60K golden parachute after contract canceled," 1 Feb. 2018 Orange County sheriff’s spokeswoman Carrie Braun said the credentials were not legitimate but the pilot was indeed Pastini. — John Antczak, The Seattle Times, "Police: Pilot in fatal California crash had fake records," 6 Feb. 2019 When a good friend becomes at risk of losing his police badge, Danny decides to help him out—but the good deed might have serious consequences, causing Danny to lose his own credentials. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "Next Week's 'Blue Bloods' Shows Erin and Frank Reagan Clash in Most Intense Episode Yet," 9 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Vendors typically visit the stadium frequently to stock and fill concession and bathroom supplies, but they are credentialed and staffed by a Royals person. — Robert A. Cronkleton And Pete Grathoff, kansascity, "Woman allegedly wanders around Kauffman Stadium for a day, sets small fires," 6 June 2018 Some CPAs are up in arms about a move by their industry’s main trade group to allow people from outside their ranks to be credentialed to help companies value complex assets. — Michael Rapoport, WSJ, "CPAs Fight to Protect Part of Their Turf," 20 Aug. 2018 The Italian owner cut his teeth working at the Italian-run Kestè on Bleecker Street, so the Neapolitan pizzas bubbling in Sottocasa are, to say the least, credentialed. — Keith Flanagan, Condé Nast Traveler, "19 Best Places for Pizza in New York City," 1 Mar. 2018 Though White House reporters are also typically credentialed in Congress, too. — Laura Mcgann, Vox, "Study: male political reporters retweet other dudes 3 times more than their female colleagues," 22 June 2018 That could be a bachelor's degree, associate's degree or industry-specific credentialing program. — James Briggs, Indianapolis Star, "Mayor Joe Hogsett sets lofty education goal for Indianapolis," 29 May 2018 Both Hulsey and one of his deputies were already credentialed and serving under Rader. — David Taylor, Houston Chronicle, "AG ruling clears ways for weight-enforcement officers," 27 Mar. 2018 Would someone better credentialed or more fastidious dump out that water and boil fresh water to cook eggs? — Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit, "A $50 (Kinda) Brunch You Can Make Even When You’re Extremely Hungover," 24 May 2018 Hines said there will be greater vetting in credentialing media in the future. — Richard Obert, azcentral, "AIA bans 31-year-old twins from high school sports events after messages to teens," 3 May 2018

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