endorsement
Americannoun
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approval or sanction.
The program for supporting the arts won the government's endorsement.
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the placing of one's signature, instructions, etc., on a document.
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the signature, instructions, etc., placed on the reverse of a commercial document, for the purpose of assigning the interest therein to another.
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a clause under which the stated coverage of an insurance policy may be altered.
noun
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the act or an instance of endorsing
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something that endorses, such as a signature or qualifying comment
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approval or support
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a record of a motoring offence on a driving licence
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insurance a clause in or amendment to an insurance policy allowing for alteration of coverage
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of endorsement
First recorded in 1540–50; endorse + -ment; compare Anglo-French endorsement
Explanation
An endorsement is a form of public support or approval. Endorsements are given to politicians and products. If you give something an endorsement, you're basically saying "I approve of this person or product." Celebrities give politicians an endorsement if they think you should vote for them. When celebrities do commercials for products, those are also endorsements. If someone puts their fame or name behind something, they're endorsing it and giving their approval. That goes for checks, too: when you sign one you've just written, you've endorsed it.
Vocabulary lists containing endorsement
Theodore Roosevelt on "The Man with the Muck Rake" (1906)
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"Hip-Hop as Culture" and "I Am Somebody"
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Five Feet Apart
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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.
Chang has said she is backing Raman, but the DSA opted against an endorsement and simply recommended Raman to its members.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026
Vatican officials said Olah’s participation wasn’t intended as an endorsement, but as a gesture aimed at encouraging dialogue with the industry as a whole.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
Hilton praised “sheriffs like Chad who actually understand what public safety looks like” while Bianco acknowledged that his opponent “should be very proud” to have Trump’s endorsement.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
On the contrary, it was a much-needed endorsement of quantum technology.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
He thought Lawrence’s endorsement of a policy that deprived his lab of its entire theoretical physics staff disgraceful.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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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.