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: the use of historical documents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

The mechanism that agricultural commissioners for Yuba and Sutter counties have at their disposal to curb theft is the annual walnut-buying period that establishes time frames and documentation requirements for buying and selling unprocessed walnuts. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025

In addition to individuals living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

Other challenges involve understanding IRS audit notices, knowing how to gather and provide very specific documentation, and responding in time to meet deadlines. —Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Film everything — documentation is currency. —Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025

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