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Synonyms

documentation

American  
[dok-yuh-men-tey-shuhn, -muhn-] / ˌdɒk jə mɛnˈteɪ ʃən, -mən- /

noun

documentations plural
  1. the use of documentary evidence.

  2. a furnishing with documents, as to substantiate a claim or the data in a book or article.

  3. Computers. manuals, listings, diagrams, and other hard- or soft-copy written and graphic materials that describe the use, operation, maintenance, or design of software or hardware.

    The documentation for the driver program is displayed on the screen.


documentation British  
/ ˌdɒkjʊmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of supplying with or using documents or references

  2. the documents or references supplied

  3. the furnishing and use of documentary evidence, as in a court of law

  4. computing the written comments, graphical illustrations, flowcharts, manuals, etc, supplied with a program or software system

"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

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Nouns

Etymology

Origin of documentation

First recorded in 1745–55; document + -ation

Explanation

Your driver's license is documentation of your age, address, and that you have passed the tests required to drive a car. Documentation is certifiable proof, or a set of official documents. Your new computer probably came with a packet of documentation that shows you how to use it and explains what to do when it breaks. In this sense, documentation means the official documents of your computer. If you are the person preparing a packet of information about how to use a computer program to keep attendance at school, you are preparing the documentation of that process.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing documentation

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.

I contacted United through its website to ask for reimbursement and sent documentation of my sister’s death.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 9, 2026

She anticipated that state officials would request additional documentation, reject her initial application, or even force her through an appeals process.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

The flight passengers, which reportedly included 19 women and seven children, were being housed by Venezuelan authorities in Hotel Santuario La Llanada in the city of La Guaira after undergoing medical exams and getting documentation.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

To combat what she saw as retaliation, Wynn-Williams began collecting documentation to submit to internal investigators, but was fired before she could share the material, according to the complaint.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

The Sunday before he was to officially announce his rupture with Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X came to my home to discuss his plans and give me some necessary documentation.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

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