Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

credential

[kri-den-shuh l]
See more synonyms for credential on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Usually credentials. evidence of authority, status, rights, entitlement to privileges, or the like, usually in written form: Only those with the proper credentials are admitted.
  2. anything that provides the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.
Show More
verb (used with object), cre·den·tialed, cre·den·tial·ing or especially British cre·den·tialled, cre·den·tial·ling.
  1. to grant credentials to, especially educational and professional ones: She has been credentialed to teach math.
Show More
adjective
  1. providing the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.
Show More

Origin of credential

1425–75; late Middle English credencial < Medieval Latin crēdenti(a) credence + -al1
Related formsun·cre·den·tialed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for credentialing

credential

noun
  1. something that entitles a person to confidence, authority, etc
  2. (plural) a letter or certificate giving evidence of the bearer's identity or competence
Show More
adjective
  1. entitling one to confidence, authority, etc
Show More
Derived Formscredentialed, adjective

Word Origin

C16: from Medieval Latin crēdentia credit, trust; see credence
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for credentialing

credential

n.

"that which entitles to credit," 1756, probably a back-formation from credentials. Earlier in English as an adjective, "confirming, corroborating" (late 15c.). As a verb, "provide with credentials," by 1828 (implied in dredentialed).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper