document

1 of 2

noun

doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-mənt 

-kyü-

1

law

a

archaic : proof, evidence

b

: an original or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something

c

: something (such as a photograph or a recording) that serves as evidence or proof

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historical documents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

: documentary

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

documental

ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

-kyü-

adjective

document

2 of 2

verb

doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-ˌment 

documented; documenting; documents

transitive verb

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

documentable

ˈdä-kyə-ˌmen-tə-bəl 

ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-

-kyü-

adjective

documenter

ˈdä-kyə-ˌmen-tər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• blank
• form
• paper

Verb

• demonstrate
• establish
• prove
• substantiate
• validate

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

PDFs are highlighted as a new favorite for cyber attacks, given user wariness as regards Office documents. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025

The process starts with a conversation, followed by a review of the franchise disclosure document. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 3 May 2025

Verb

After the wreckage is documented, it will then be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation, according to the NTSB. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 4 May 2025

Hayden continues to document her father's experience with Parkinson's Disease. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 3 May 2025

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

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)

document

2 of 2 verb

doc·​u·​ment ˈdäk-yə-ˌment 

: to give evidence of by a document

documentable

ˈdäk-yə-ˌment-ə-bəl 

ˌdäk-yə-ˈment-

adjective

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)