certificate

[ser-tif-i-kit, ser-tif-i-keyt]

noun

1. a document serving as evidence or as written testimony, as of status, qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something.

2. a document attesting to the fact that a person has completed an educational course, issued either by an institution not authorized to grant diplomas, or to a student not qualifying for a diploma.

3. Law.,  a statement, written and signed, which is by law made evidence of the truth of the facts stated, for all or for certain purposes.

4. Finance.

   1. gold certificate.

   2. silver certificate.

verb (used with object)

certificated, certificating 

1. to furnish with or authorize by a certificate.

2. to issue an official certificate attesting to the training, aptitude, and qualification of.

   to certificate a teacher.

certificate

noun

1. an official document attesting the truth of the facts stated, as of birth, marital status, death, health, completion of an academic course, ability to practise a profession, etc

2. short for share certificate

verb

1. (tr) to authorize by or present with an official document

Other Word Forms

• certificatory adjective
• noncertificated adjective
• uncertificated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of certificate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English certificat < Medieval Latin certificātum, noun use of neuter of certificātus certified (past participle of certificāre ), equivalent to certific- ( certify ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of certificate¹

C15: from Old French certificat, from certifier _certify

Example Sentences

In good Dada and Pop art-style, the work’s title turns out to be a pun: A deed is not just a real estate certificate but an endeavor that one has undertaken.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A senior university official told the paper that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but never completed his studies or received a certificate.

Read more on BBC

But Fifa said investigators obtained original birth certificates of the grandparents, which showed that they were born in countries like Argentina and Spain - all corresponding with the players' birthplaces.

Read more on BBC

Awards and certificates of recognition spoke to a distinguished career, including one signed by the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — “She got the accent right on my name.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

DTLA, which specialized in these cases, filed many of its older lawsuits without the certificate, considered by the Legislature as a critical way to prevent fraudulent claims.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affidavit 
• authentication 
• authorization 
• certification 
• coupon 
• credential 
• deed 
• diploma 
• documentation 
• guarantee 
• license 
• paper 
• permit 
• receipt 
• ticket 
• voucher 
• warrant 
• warranty