documentation
Americannoun
-
the use of documentary evidence.
-
a furnishing with documents, as to substantiate a claim or the data in a book or article.
-
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.
noun
-
the act of supplying with or using documents or references
-
the documents or references supplied
-
the furnishing and use of documentary evidence, as in a court of law
-
computing the written comments, graphical illustrations, flowcharts, manuals, etc, supplied with a program or software system
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of documentation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing documentation
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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!
Reference
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!
Writing - High School
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.
Despite receiving admission offers from Finnish institutions, five of them were denied residence permits because of "insufficient financial proof" and "delayed documentation", the students say.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
This collaboration aims to improve clinical decision support and documentation, and draws upon the cost-effectiveness of open models.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
Meanwhile at Locke, documentation shows that the typical student is achieving a year or more of learning every school year, Green Dot says.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
Government attorneys also sent subpoenas seeking further documentation, said those familiar with the probe, a move that was opposed by the company’s lawyers.
From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026
But there are no photographs to document Ashoke’s childhood; not until his passport, not until his life in America, does visual documentation exist.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
![]()
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.