affirmation

American  

[af-er-mey-shuhn] / ˌæf ərˈmeɪ ʃən /

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.

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affirmation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonaffirmation noun
• overaffirmation noun
• preaffirmation noun
• reaffirmation noun
• self-affirmation noun

Etymology

Origin of affirmation

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

Example Sentences

Life Boat is a simple affirmation of hope, set to a trancey house beat that shows Raye could still churn out a four-to-the-floor banger if she wanted.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“To me,” Mr. Talarico continued, “that is an affirmation in one of our most central stories that creation has to be done with consent. You cannot force someone to create.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

“This decision represents another important affirmation of the rule of law and provides clarity for businesses that have borne the financial burden of these unlawful tariffs,” Woldenberg said.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

I watched one, and another, nodding along to the digital daily affirmation.

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2026

The hen bobbed her head, as if in affirmation.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

• assertion
• confirmation