document

1 of 2

noun

doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-mənt How to pronounce document (audio)
-kyü-
1
law
a
archaic : proof, evidence
b
: an original or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something
c
: something (such as a photograph or a recording) that serves as evidence or proof
2
a
: a writing conveying information
financial documents
historical documents
a classified document that was leaked to the media
b
: a material substance (such as a coin or stone) having on it a representation of thoughts by means of some conventional mark or symbol
3
: a computer file containing information input by a computer user and usually created with an application (such as a spreadsheet or word processor)
create a new document
documental adjective

document

2 of 2

verb

doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-ˌment How to pronounce document (audio)
documented; documenting; documents

transitive verb

1
: to furnish documentary evidence of
documenting their claims
documenting gorillas in their natural habitat
2
: to furnish with documents
3
a
: to provide with factual or substantial support for statements made or a hypothesis proposed
charges that were well documented
document your claim
especially : to equip with exact references (see reference entry 1 sense 3b) to authoritative supporting information (as by means of footnotes)
failed to adequately document your sources
b(1)
: to construct or produce (something, such as a movie or novel) with authentic situations or events
(2)
: to portray realistically
documents the challenges of being a single parent
4
nautical : to furnish (a ship) with ship's papers
documentable
ˈdä-kyə-ˌmen-tə-bəl How to pronounce document (audio)
ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-
-kyü-
adjective
documenter noun

Examples of document in a Sentence

Noun It is important to keep all of your financial documents in a safe place. An important classified document has been leaked to the media. creating a new document on your computer I lost the document when the hard drive crashed. Verb Her study was the first to document this type of behavior in gorillas. He wrote a book documenting their struggle. Can you document the claims you're making? The charges are well documented.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The big picture: Those investors typically receive thousands of different documents from hundreds of funds they're invested in, all of which are formatted differently. Ryan Lawler, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024 The panel — comprised of seven Republicans and six Democrats — has spent the last two months analyzing the security failures at the rally, conducting nearly two dozen interviews with law enforcement and receiving more than 2,800 pages of documents from the Secret Service. Farnoush Amiri, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
Cross-functional processes are documented, verified and improved regularly. Chris Stegh, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 The studies documented a significant reduction in overall symptoms of schizophrenia in the patients receiving Cobenfy compared to placebo. Alice Park, TIME, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for document 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'document.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, precept, teaching, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin documentum official paper, from Latin, lesson, proof, from docēre to teach — more at docile

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of document was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near document

Cite this Entry

“Document.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/document. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

document

1 of 2 noun
doc·​u·​ment ˈdäk-yə-mənt How to pronounce document (audio)
1
: a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something
2
: a computer file usually created with an application program (as a word processor)

document

2 of 2 verb
doc·​u·​ment ˈdäk-yə-ˌment How to pronounce document (audio)
: to give evidence of by a document
documentable
ˈdäk-yə-ˌment-ə-bəl How to pronounce document (audio)
ˌdäk-yə-ˈment-
adjective

Legal Definition

document

1 of 2 noun
doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-mənt How to pronounce document (audio)
1
: a writing (as a deed or lease) conveying information see also instrument
2
a
: something (as a writing, photograph, or recording) that may be used as evidence
b
: an official paper (as a license) relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something (as a right or privilege)

document

2 of 2 transitive verb
doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-ˌment How to pronounce document (audio)
1
a
: to furnish documentary evidence of
b
: to provide with exact references to authoritative supporting information
2
: to furnish (as a ship) with documents (as ship's papers)

More from Merriam-Webster on document

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