certificate
Americannoun
-
a document serving as evidence or as written testimony, as of status, qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Finance.
verb (used with object)
-
to furnish with or authorize by a certificate.
-
to issue an official certificate attesting to the training, aptitude, and qualification of.
to certificate a teacher.
noun
-
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
-
short for share certificate
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of certificate
1375–1425; late Middle English certificat < Medieval Latin certificātum, noun use of neuter of certificātus certified (past participle of certificāre ), equivalent to certific- ( see certify) + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
A certificate is a paper or document that proves some fact. Your most prized possession might be the certificate you got when you became a black belt in karate. Your fastidious friend might need to check the health inspection certificate before she'll agree to eat in a restaurant, and you'll need a copy of your birth certificate before you can apply for a passport. A certificate certifies or documents the fact that you are who you say you are, that you're licensed to drive, or authorized to practice dentistry, for example. You can trace the word certificate back to the Latin certus, "sure, fixed, settled."
Vocabulary lists containing certificate
The Judicial Branch
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Week 3 Spelling
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Go to Goodwill.org, and you can sign up for the Google AI Essentials class. Or AI Prompting Essentials. You get a certificate and could show that to an employer,” Mr. Preston says.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026
If you were signing the death certificate, how many causes would you put there?
From Slate • May 5, 2026
The “Melrose Place” and “Days of Our Lives” veteran suffered a myocardial infarction — a heart attack — according to a death certificate reviewed by People.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
He also completed the course in under the specified six hours, finishing in five hours, 48 minutes and eight seconds - efforts which saw him awarded with a certificate from Guinness World Records.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
There are also framed newspaper pages and what looks like the sort of diploma certificate I got at fifth-grade graduation.
From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
