certification

American  

[sur-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, ser-tif-uh-] / ˌsɜr tə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən, sərˌtɪf ə- /

noun

certifications plural

1. the act of certifying.

2. the state of being certified.

3. a certified statement.

4. the writing on the face of a check by which it is certified.

5. Law. a certificate attesting the truth of some statement or event.

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certification British  

/ ˌsɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of certifying or state of being certified

2. law a document attesting the truth of a fact or statement

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncertification
  noun
• precertification
  noun
• recertification
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• certifications
  plural

Etymology

Origin of certification

1400–50; late Middle English certificacio ( u ) n < Medieval Latin certificātiōn- (stem of certificātiō ). See certificate, -ion

Explanation

Certification is official proof that something is true or authentic, or the process of obtaining that proof. To work as a life guard, you need certification in both swimming and first aid — and a whole lot of sunscreen. If you want to be an elementary school teacher, you'll need to get certification, which shows you've been tested and found qualified to teach. Likewise, an auto mechanic's certification demonstrates her education and skill at car repair. One element of certification is demonstrating your ability, and the other is obtaining a document (or certificate) so you can prove that ability to other people.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

certification certifications

For industry certification, she explained the plates needed to be tested 36 times - but the new curved plates have been shot almost 300 times.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

He said at the time that the accounting loss reflected how much longer it would take to clinch certification, pushing to the future revenue that investors had hoped would roll in sooner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Ridgecrest City Manager Travis Reed said the state was in possession of its most recent draft, which he expected would “receive Housing Element certification in the near future.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

Boeing executives said the pathway to final certification on the three aircraft is "clear" and that the company is "on track" to meet its timeline, during a press tour last week.

From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026

Gradually, a specialization process began to occur and music became a regular subject with its own certification, an educational tradition that continues to this day.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Linked Learning steps in by partnering with schools and guiding students on how to earn college credit through dual community college enrollment, internships and industry certifications.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

They must get certifications showing they can operate the equipment and capture a legal proceeding.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

"Synergy later provided many of these false certifications to the NTSB," Hayes said.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

What are their qualifications — do they hold certifications like the certified financial planner designation?

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 30, 2026

I have no idea if she had any medical certifications beyond a vague notion of CPR, but she pulled Grace’s sagging body to the ground all the same.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Related Words

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