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: the use of historical documents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

Those steps create new problems without helping your documentation. — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Hundreds of thousands of primary residents had their names and addresses published online, while thousands more received notices requiring detailed documentation with little Department of Finance (DOF) guidance. — Michael Wolfe, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Poole allegedly did not provide documentation to account for the missing cash, and investigators could not find records that showed the cash was ever collected by Brink’s or deposited directly into the school bank account. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Forbes didn’t evaluate Leo or offer any kind of consultation note or other documentation. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 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