proof
evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, or to produce belief in its truth.
anything serving as such evidence: What proof do you have?
the establishment of the truth of anything; demonstration.
Law. (in judicial proceedings) evidence having probative weight.
the effect of evidence in convincing the mind.
an arithmetical operation serving to check the correctness of a calculation.
Mathematics, Logic. a sequence of steps, statements, or demonstrations that leads to a valid conclusion.
a test to determine the quality, durability, etc., of materials used in manufacture.
Distilling.
the arbitrary standard strength, as of an alcoholic liquor.
strength with reference to this standard: “100 proof” signifies aproof spirit, usually 50% alcohol.
Photography. a trial print from a negative.
Printing.
a trial impression, as of composed type, taken to correct errors and make alterations.
one of a number of early and superior impressions taken before the printing of the ordinary issue: to pull a proof.
(in printmaking) an impression taken from a plate or the like to show the quality or condition of work during the process of execution; a print pulled for examination while working on a plate, block, stone, etc.
Numismatics. one of a limited number of coins of a new issue struck from polished dies on a blank having a polished or matte surface.
the state of having been tested and approved.
proved strength, as of armor.
Scots Law. the trial of a case by a judge alone, without a jury.
able to withstand; successful in not being overcome: proof against temptation.
impenetrable, impervious, or invulnerable: proof against outside temperature changes.
to test; examine for flaws, errors, etc.; check against a standard or standards.
Printing. prove (def. 7).
to proofread.
to treat or coat for the purpose of rendering resistant to deterioration, damage, etc. (often used in combination): to proof a house against termites; to shrink-proof a shirt.
Cooking.
to test the effectiveness of (yeast), as by combining with warm water so that a bubbling action occurs.
to cause (especially bread dough) to rise due to the addition of baker's yeast or other leavening.
Origin of proof
1synonym study For proof
word story For proof
Other words for proof
Other words from proof
- re-proof, verb (used with object)
- un·proofed, adjective
Words Nearby proof
Other definitions for -proof (2 of 2)
a combining form meaning “resistant, impervious to” that specified by the initial element: burglarproof; childproof; waterproof.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use proof in a sentence
The fact that it didn’t is, to me, proof that what happened to Taylor—being gunned down in her own bed, by men who are still walking free—is not just going to just drift away as the media moves on to the next headline.
Breonna Taylor’s Vanity Fair portrait is more than a magazine cover | kristenlbellstrom | August 25, 2020 | Fortune“Theoretically, those with poor immune systems may have a higher chance of reinfection, but we don’t have the proof yet,” To said.
What the first confirmed COVID-19 reinfection tells us about a future vaccine | Naomi Xu Elegant | August 25, 2020 | FortuneShe said she first notified the authority on June 19, the day she lost her job, but was asked to bring proof that she no longer worked a second job at a cleaning company and to provide updated paycheck stubs.
She Was Sued Over Rent She Didn’t Owe. It Took Seven Court Dates to Prove She Was Right. | by Danielle Ohl, Capital Gazette, and Talia Buford and Beena Raghavendran, ProPublica | August 25, 2020 | ProPublicaAs Hollywood eases back into production while coronavirus cases rise, TV networks’ and streaming services’ interest in so-called “corona-proof” programming has taken on a new twist.
‘Covid-proof production’: TV networks, streamers seek out show formats that can adapt to another shooting shutdown | Tim Peterson | August 14, 2020 | DigidayThe image below clearly indicates the benefits of social proof.
Studying the anatomy of a successful high-conversion landing page | Yasmine Dehimi | June 22, 2020 | Search Engine Watch
Park employees helped John quit tobacco by way of a butts-proof glass enclosure, a drastic change in diet, and regular exercise.
Zebra Finches, Dolphins, Elephants, and More Animals Under the Influence | Bill Schulz | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAlthough often this is considered proof positive of guilt at trial, it is not an uncommon occurrence in false confessions.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities | Elizabeth Picciuto | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd if you want proof of what the country is really all about, just walk through the National September 11 Memorial Museum.
They're also proof that no matter how fancy you are, you can't escape the urge to watch two girls make out.
High-End Pervs Film Benedict Cumberbatch and Reese Witherspoon Sucking Face | Amy Zimmerman | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWithout proof of this kind, the story of the lost legions is just a legend.
Here convincing proof was given of Mme. Mesdag's accuracy, originality of interpretation, and her skill in the use of color.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D. | Clara Erskine Clementproof was given to him, of Elizabeth having admitted Ripperda to private political discussions in the Altheim apartments.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterWasn't the dead man stretched in the shadow convincing proof of their capacity for pure devilishness?
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairFor my part, I scarcely know what to say; inasmuch as I do not care either to affirm or deny a thing of which I have no proof.
If I am proof against my own heart, in so dear a cause, shall I not be proof against the poor allurements of vanity and sense?
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
British Dictionary definitions for proof (1 of 2)
/ (pruːf) /
any evidence that establishes or helps to establish the truth, validity, quality, etc, of something
law the whole body of evidence upon which the verdict of a court is based
maths logic a sequence of steps or statements that establishes the truth of a proposition: See also direct (def. 17), induction (def. 4), induction (def. 8)
the act of testing the truth of something (esp in the phrase put to the proof)
Scots law trial before a judge without a jury
printing a trial impression made from composed type, or a print-out (from a laser printer, etc) for the correction of errors
(in engraving, etc) a print made by an artist or under his supervision for his own satisfaction before he hands the plate over to a professional printer
photog a trial print from a negative
the alcoholic strength of proof spirit
the strength of a beverage or other alcoholic liquor as measured on a scale in which the strength of proof spirit is 100 degrees
(usually postpositive foll by against) able to resist; impervious (to): the roof is proof against rain
having the alcoholic strength of proof spirit
of proved strength or impenetrability: proof armour
(tr) to take a proof from (type matter, a plate, etc)
to proofread (text) or inspect (a print, etc), as for approval
to render (something) proof, esp to waterproof
Origin of proof
1British Dictionary definitions for -proof (2 of 2)
secure against (damage by); (make) impervious to: waterproof; mothproof; childproof
Origin of -proof
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for proof
[ prōōf ]
A demonstration of the truth of a mathematical or logical statement, based on axioms and theorems derived from those axioms.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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