certificate

[ noun ser-tif-i-kit; verb 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)

, cer·tif·i·cat·ed, cer·tif·i·cat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• cerˈtificatory, adjective

Other Words From

• cer·tif·i·ca·to·ry [ser-, tif, -, uh, -ki-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• noncer·tifi·cated adjective
• uncer·tifi·cated 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

After his death, she reflected on a certificate her husband had been given for his work at Street Church.

From Washington Post

Birth certificates or adoption records are also a good idea.

From Washington Post

From 8 pm to 6 am, the teachers were instructed to check the birds’ veterinary certificates and to prohibit chicken products from being shipped into Delhi.

From Quartz

Once an individual is vaccinated, he or she will receive a QR code certificate to indicate so.

From Fortune

Once Warnock and Ossoff have an official certificate of election, they will be sworn into office.

From Time

My birth certificate was modified, I changed my name, and when I was sixteen I emancipated from my grandparents and my father.

From The Daily Beast

They examined every “poll list, tally sheet, certificate of result, and, where necessary, each ballot.”

From The Daily Beast

She continued on to Maine and secured a birth certificate in the name of Julia Wadsworth.

From The Daily Beast

Miller was able to use the Maine birth certificate to secure an Ohio identity card as Julia Wadsworth.

From The Daily Beast

Will it be a simple matter of the newlyweds depositing their marriage certificate?

From The Daily Beast

From the point of view of cover, the gold certificate is completely inelastic.

From Project Gutenberg

If you wish, I will send a copy of the certificate of the duty done by this engine, which states very minutely every circumstance.

From Project Gutenberg

When these things are done, the certificate of entry is delivered to the applicant and the entry is made.

From Project Gutenberg

Does a birth-certificate, a marriage-contract or an inventory of wealth represent a person?

From Project Gutenberg

By the way, you can easily put your hand on your birth certificate, as well as the death certificate of your father, I suppose?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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