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: the use of historical documents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

• 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

As reported in Harvard Business Review, U.S. physicians spend 34% to 55% of their workday on documentation and EHR reviews—cutting into face time with patients and weakening the patient-provider relationship. —Shimite Obialo, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Mesa’s Parks and Recreation Department’s overtime authorization process requires direct supervisor approval and documentation of justification, according to the city. —Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025

The conference resolutions and tribunal documentation were sent to the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico, Ronald Reagan and Jose López Portillo, which laid the groundwork for the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). —Jimmy Patino, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025

The documentation can be even stronger by keeping a symptom diary. —Megan Pregmon, Flow Space, 23 July 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