endorsement

American  

[en-dawrs-muhnt] / ɛnˈdɔrs mənt /

Also indorsement

noun

1. approval or sanction.

   The program for supporting the arts won the government's endorsement.

2. the placing of one's signature, instructions, etc., on a document.

3. the signature, instructions, etc., placed on the reverse of a commercial document, for the purpose of assigning the interest therein to another.

4. a clause under which the stated coverage of an insurance policy may be altered.

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endorsement British  

/ ɪnˈdɔːsmənt /

noun

1. the act or an instance of endorsing

2. something that endorses, such as a signature or qualifying comment

3. approval or support

4. a record of a motoring offence on a driving licence

5. insurance a clause in or amendment to an insurance policy allowing for alteration of coverage

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Other Word Forms

• nonendorsement noun
• preendorsement noun
• reendorsement noun
• reindorsement noun
• subendorsement noun
• superendorsement noun

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.

Example Sentences

It not only proclaimed the rights of workers to form unions and seek fair wages, but specifically avoided any endorsement of capitalism.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Yet despite that strong endorsement, there is still no fully developed mission ready for the launch opportunities expected in the 2030s.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Until recently, there was at least an attempt to give interventions a veneer of legitimacy through U.N. endorsement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

A Trump endorsement comes in all sorts of flavors.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

When he first ran for office, his advisers told him that he had to get Hale’s endorsement, and so he made several trips to Hale’s ranch.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• advocacy
• affirmation
• approval
• backing
• commercial
• confirmation
• favor
• permission
• ratification
• recommendation
• signature