certification

American  

[sur-tuh-fi-kay-shuhn, ser-tif-uh-] / ˌsɜr tə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən, sərˌtɪf ə- /

noun

• certifications
  plural

1. the act of certifying.

2. the state of being certified.

3. a certified statement.

4. the writing on the face of a check by which it is certified.

5. Law. a certificate attesting the truth of some statement or event.

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certification British  

/ ˌsɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of certifying or state of being certified

2. law a document attesting the truth of a fact or statement

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncertification
  noun
• precertification
  noun
• recertification
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• certifications
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of certification

1400–50; late Middle English certificacio ( u ) n < Medieval Latin certificātiōn- (stem of certificātiō ). See certificate, -ion

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Explanation

Certification is official proof that something is true or authentic, or the process of obtaining that proof. To work as a life guard, you need certification in both swimming and first aid — and a whole lot of sunscreen. If you want to be an elementary school teacher, you'll need to get certification, which shows you've been tested and found qualified to teach. Likewise, an auto mechanic's certification demonstrates her education and skill at car repair. One element of certification is demonstrating your ability, and the other is obtaining a document (or certificate) so you can prove that ability to other people.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

certification certifications

Shirin Ali: In your paper, you drill down on the president’s efforts to undermine the midterms into three flashpoints: Before Election Day, during the vote counting and certification process, and when the new Congress convenes.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026

The SQA developed an alternative certification model in March 2020.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

If your kid would rather get a welding certification or a commercial driver’s license than sit in a university lecture hall, the account can still help, as long as the program qualifies.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

FAA officials had in late September briefly paused certification over concerns about a software problem, but they later concluded the issue did not pose safety risks.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

After she finished her pilot’s certification in 1933, she became an instructor herself—mostly teaching young men.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

The governor then typically signs the certifications for House and Senate winners to be sent to Congress.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

The results translated into a larger earnings per share loss than analysts expected, but the company pointed to recent commercial aircraft certifications and Pentagon awards as signs of progress in its turnaround.

From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026

Canada has said it would work with Chinese auto manufacturers on timely vehicle certifications to ensure they meet the country’s motor-vehicle safety standards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Advocates say U.S. certifications will come through soon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026

I have no idea if she had any medical certifications beyond a vague notion of CPR, but she pulled Grace’s sagging body to the ground all the same.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

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Related Words

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

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