documentation

noun

doc·​u·​men·​ta·​tion ˌdä-kyə-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-,

-kyü-

1

: the act or an instance of furnishing or authenticating with documents

2

a

: the provision of documents in substantiation

also : documentary evidence

b(1)

: the use of historical documents

(2)

: conformity to historical or objective facts

(3)

: the provision of footnotes, appendices, or addenda referring to or containing documentary evidence

3

: information science

4

: the usually printed instructions, comments, and information for using a particular piece or system of computer software or hardware

documentational

ˌdä-kyə-mən-ˈtā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

-ˌmen-

-kyü-

adjective

Synonyms

• attestation
• confirmation
• corroboration
• evidence
• proof
• substantiation
• testament
• testimonial
• testimony
• validation
• voucher
• witness

Examples of documentation in a Sentence

You cannot visit the country unless you have the proper documentation.

Keep your receipts as documentation of your purchases.

Can you provide documentation of the claims you're making?

The program's documentation is poorly written.

Recent Examples on the Web

To strengthen your case, save photos, videos and documentation of your correspondence with your landlord and superintendent. —Jill Terreri Ramos, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2023

The attorney general’s public integrity unit alleges that Brave misused $19,000 in public funds, falsified documentation related to the expenses, and lied to a grand jury. —Steven Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023

An engineer looking to explain the capabilities of a system in a meeting, for example, could ask Co-Pilot or Duet AI to outline a presentation based on documentation already hosted in their company’s workspace. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Sep. 2023

According to his lawsuit, Campbell has received some records, including documentation showing state police hired private pilots to fly the governor, but also requested other documents which were denied by state police. —Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2023

Department of Homeland Security agents arrested the group on suspicion of entering the U.S. without proper documentation, Customs and Border Protection officials said. —David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023

Obtaining such documentation from a reputable source can help prevent any misunderstandings at customs checkpoints. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

Officials have not yet outlined the specific evidence or documentation residents will need to prove a dog’s barking has risen to the level of a violation. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023

This documentation will help provide the evidence for insurance claims, requests for government assistance and potential tax savings. —Latisha Nixon-Jones, CBS News, 31 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

documentation

noun

doc·​u·​men·​ta·​tion ˌdäk-yə-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-

1

: the providing of documents as proof

2

: evidence in the form of documents

3

: written instructions for using a computer or computer program