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 a press release, Mayor Karen Bass announced that the home received a certificate of occupancy from the L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To update withholdings, hourly and salaried workers would have to change what’s on a Form W-4, the employee’s withholding certificate.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the HSE report states no gas safe certificate for the school was provided.

Read more on BBC

This is indeed a cautionary tale: Always request and keep a formal summary plan description and certificate of coverage of all retirement plans and life-insurance policies, together with the last benefits confirmation statement.

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Two experts had signed off on the minister's certificate, including one from the Louvre Museum.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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