affirmation

[ af-er-mey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed.
2. the assertion that something exists or is true.
3. something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.
4. confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc.
5. Law. a solemn declaration accepted instead of a statement under oath.

affirmation

/ ˌæfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of affirming or the state of being affirmed
2. a statement of the existence or truth of something; assertion
3. law a solemn declaration permitted on grounds of conscientious objection to taking an oath

Other Words From

• nonaf·fir·mation noun
• over·affir·mation noun
• preaf·fir·mation noun
• reaf·fir·mation noun
• self-affir·mation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirmation¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin affirmātiōn-, stem of affirmātiō, equivalent to affirmāt(us) (past participle of affirmāre affirm ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

It might be the most powerful affirmation, and perhaps even a feminist or political statement, from any public person this year.

From The Daily Beast

RAWIYA: Like you, I've been turning to Dave Chappelle for both levity and affirmation.

From The Daily Beast

This book is apparently meant as an affirmation of that claim.

From The Daily Beast

Greenwald says his time in New Zealand has been a “pure affirmation” of his role as a journalist.

From The Daily Beast

Filmmaker Lauren Greenfield examines the negative connotation of the phrase and turns it into an affirmation.

From The Daily Beast

If nothing is done during infancy inaction operates generally as an affirmation.

From Project Gutenberg

He was desired by the speaker to withdraw, as no affirmation could be made without the sanction of the house.

From Project Gutenberg

The motion to allow Mr. Pease to make his solemn affirmation in place of the usual oath was agreed to unanimously.

From Project Gutenberg

The oath itself was probably a development of the affirmation that has been used more than any other in the history of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Such an affirmation was understood to raise the presumption of quality in the person who used it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assertion
• confirmation