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: the use of historical documents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

Fox News Digital reached out to several airlines about whether documentation is required when requesting a wheelchair. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025

But the firm pointed to slow decision-making on authorizations, documentation issues and the need to better address the findings raised in regulatory audits. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025

If the inspection reveals past treatment, ask for documentation of the treatment history and any existing warranties. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025

According to the board’s documentation, the committee insisted on 11 key modifications, including a cricket match sequence trimmed by 32 seconds — a moment that might be entertaining otherwise in Bollywood movies, but appears tense here, given the central character’s religion. —Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 18 Dec. 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