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: the use of historical documents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-sh(ə-)nəl 

-ˌmen-, 

-kyü-

adjective

Synonyms of documentation

• evidence
• proof
• testimony

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

Both the Centers for Disease Control and FEMA report that some shelters won’t accept animals without proper documentation. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 30 May 2026

But where did the camera, and its documentation of the OPEF Marines’s violence, end up after that? —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 May 2026

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the department is assisting with the crash investigation and is reviewing Dong’s training documentation, driver history and New York licensing records. —Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 29 May 2026

Following the 2021 oil spill when a pipe ruptured and spewed oil off Huntington Beach, Foley said the responsible company set up a claims form where people could go online, fill out the claims and submit the documentation and proof of receipts. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for documentation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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