doc·u·ment
ˈdä-kyə-mənt 
-kyü-
1
2
a
: a writing conveying information
financial documents
historical documents
a classified document that was leaked to the media
b
: a material substance (such as a coin or stone) having on it a representation of thoughts by means of some conventional mark or symbol
c
3
: a computer file containing information input by a computer user and usually created with an application (such as a spreadsheet or word processor)
create a new document
doc·u·ment
ˈdä-kyə-ˌment
documented; documenting; documents
1
: to furnish documentary evidence of
documenting their claims
documenting gorillas in their natural habitat
2
: to furnish with documents
3
a
: to provide with factual or substantial support for statements made or a hypothesis proposed
charges that were well documented
document your claim
especially
: to equip with exact references (see reference entry 1 sense 3b) to authoritative supporting information (as by means of footnotes)
failed to adequately document your sources
b(1)
: to construct or produce (something, such as a movie or novel) with authentic situations or events
(2)
: to portray realistically
documents the challenges of being a single parent
4
nautical
: to furnish (a ship) with ship's papers
Synonyms
Examples of document in a Sentence
Noun
It is important to keep all of your financial documents in a safe place.
An important classified document has been leaked to the media.
creating a new document on your computer
I lost the document when the hard drive crashed.
Verb
Her study was the first to document this type of behavior in gorillas.
He wrote a book documenting their struggle.
Can you document the claims you're making?
The charges are well documented.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
The assault was described as occurring during an ongoing dispute in the home with multiple family members present, the document said.
—Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023
Tristan also plans to apply for an application for U.S. citizenship for Amari, who was born in Canada, per the court documents.
—Nikki Dobrin, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023
Second, email deliberations are not subject to member review and such emails are not included in the documents, which homeowners may request to review.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
According to the report, ESPN, which reports the investigation started months ago and remains open, filed a public records request with Michigan State on July 30, asking for any documents related to the case.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2023
The court documents do not detail if the actual stabbing was recorded.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2023
Two men were arrested Thursday after being accused of falsifying documents to enroll at Crowley High School, according to district officials.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2023
Court documents state Winward had a conflict with the date, and will be out of town on a family vacation on Sept. 21.
—Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Vogue, 11 Sep. 2023
Her son, Myles, proposed in July 2022, which Carly documented on Instagram with a sweet video.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 11 Sep. 2023
Testimony at a hearing in May documented this period.
—William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2023
Inspired by photographer Robert Landau’s 2016 book Rock ‘n’ Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip — which documented the proliferation of ads for rock bands in West Hollywood between the Sixties and Eighties — Rousselet sought to pay homage to the heyday of the rock billboard for the clip.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2023
Jozef Ulma, 44, was a farmer, Catholic activist, and amateur photographer who documented family and village life.
—Monika Scislowska, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
The House of Gucci star has spent the past few months on a series of getaways, and has documented her collection of stylish bikinis, plunging one-pieces, and coordinated swimwear ensembles along the way.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Sep. 2023
The Museum of Failure is all about epic fails, documenting over 150 products and services that just did not connect with the public, from Heinz Green Ketchup to Betamax to Google Glass.
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
Milner spent hours documenting and photographing what looked to be the remains of steamboats and then reported his findings to Susan Kilcrease of the Ice House Museum in nearby Silsbee.
—Michael Barnes, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
But at the same time, Democrat electors cast their three votes for Kennedy and sent their own documents to Congress.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
The assault was described as occurring during an ongoing dispute in the home with multiple family members present, the document said.
—Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023
Tristan also plans to apply for an application for U.S. citizenship for Amari, who was born in Canada, per the court documents.
—Nikki Dobrin, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023
Second, email deliberations are not subject to member review and such emails are not included in the documents, which homeowners may request to review.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
According to the report, ESPN, which reports the investigation started months ago and remains open, filed a public records request with Michigan State on July 30, asking for any documents related to the case.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2023
The court documents do not detail if the actual stabbing was recorded.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2023
Two men were arrested Thursday after being accused of falsifying documents to enroll at Crowley High School, according to district officials.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2023
Court documents state Winward had a conflict with the date, and will be out of town on a family vacation on Sept. 21.
—Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Verb
Her son and his wife discover the artist’s work in an attic and begin archiving and documenting her life.
—Vogue, 11 Sep. 2023
Her son, Myles, proposed in July 2022, which Carly documented on Instagram with a sweet video.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 11 Sep. 2023
Testimony at a hearing in May documented this period.
—William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2023
Inspired by photographer Robert Landau’s 2016 book Rock ‘n’ Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip — which documented the proliferation of ads for rock bands in West Hollywood between the Sixties and Eighties — Rousselet sought to pay homage to the heyday of the rock billboard for the clip.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2023
Jozef Ulma, 44, was a farmer, Catholic activist, and amateur photographer who documented family and village life.
—Monika Scislowska, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
The House of Gucci star has spent the past few months on a series of getaways, and has documented her collection of stylish bikinis, plunging one-pieces, and coordinated swimwear ensembles along the way.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Sep. 2023
The Museum of Failure is all about epic fails, documenting over 150 products and services that just did not connect with the public, from Heinz Green Ketchup to Betamax to Google Glass.
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
Milner spent hours documenting and photographing what looked to be the remains of steamboats and then reported his findings to Susan Kilcrease of the Ice House Museum in nearby Silsbee.
—Michael Barnes, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'document.' 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 and Verb
Middle English, precept, teaching, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin documentum official paper, from Latin, lesson, proof, from docēre to teach — more at docile
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of document was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near document
Cite this Entry
“Document.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/document. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
document
1 of 2 noun
doc·u·ment
ˈdäk-yə-mənt
1
: a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something
2
: a computer file usually created with an application program (as a word processor)
Legal Definition
document
1 of 2 noun
doc·u·ment
ˈdä-kyə-mənt
1
: a writing (as a deed or lease) conveying information see also instrument
2
a
: something (as a writing, photograph, or recording) that may be used as evidence
b
: an official paper (as a license) relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something (as a right or privilege)
document
2 of 2 transitive verb
doc·u·ment
ˈdä-kyə-ˌment
1
a
: to furnish documentary evidence of
b
: to provide with exact references to authoritative supporting information
2
: to furnish (as a ship) with documents (as ship's papers)
More from Merriam-Webster on document
Nglish: Translation of document for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of document for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about document
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share