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: the use of historical documents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-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

-ˌmen-

-kyü-

adjective

Synonyms

• attestation
• confirmation
• corroboration
• evidence
• proof
• substantiation
• testament
• testimonial
• testimony
• validation
• voucher
• witness

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

In the 19th and 20th centuries, countless artifacts were excavated by oil prospectors and explorers, who sold or kept them without proper documentation. —Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Amid rising measles cases, a new generation of doctors is being taught how to spot the disease Of the people who were exposed, 62% don't have documentation proving they are protected against measles and are considered at risk, according to WVDH. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2024

Sadly, very little documentation exists today that proves Boone was able to capitalize upon her feat and commercialize her creation. —Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 26 Apr. 2024

More than 500 Iranians were killed in the ensuing crackdown, including 72 children, and these citizen videos provide unique documentation of the events, given press restrictions in the country. —Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024

The four-page document lays out the timeline of events and specific deficiencies by staff, including ineffective medical treatment and poor documentation. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024

Estrada says prior to 1917, there were significantly fewer checks at borders and less restrictions on immigration, so many of the people there did not have documentation. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Anyone born in or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles or documentation of having been vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine should get vaccinated. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024

Recreating the workspace When Dr. Hutchings died in 1903, his daughter Lida snapped photos of the space, unknowingly creating the documentation people would use about 110 years later to keep her father’s legacy alive. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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