substantiation

American  

[suhb-stan-shee-ey-shuhn] / səbˌstæn ʃiˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, valid, or real; proof.

   The department may require employees to provide vouchers, receipts, or other substantiation for any fees or expenses claimed.

2. the act or process of establishing or proving the truth of something.

   For scientific substantiation of health effects, the nutrients in these vitamin capsules must first be accurately measured.

3. the act or instance of giving something material existence or concrete form.

   The protagonist is visited by a digital, partial substantiation of his late wife, awakening other ghosts from his past.

   The minister’s sermon was on Christ as the substantiation of God’s true love, true life, and true lineage.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonsubstantiation noun
• resubstantiation noun

Etymology

Origin of substantiation

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin substantiātiōn-, stem of substantiātiō; see substantiate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

“We believe in the strength of the scientific substantiation supporting our applications, which have been at the agency for some time,” a Philip Morris International spokesperson told Barron’s via email.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The UK's advertising code states that the basis of claims about environmental sustainability must be clear and "supported by a high level of substantiation".

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

Cobb said he expected much of what’s contained in the final report to have already been public information, but that the final report would probably include substantiation of that information from new sources and witnesses.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

He said he was “leery” of joining such a motion “without having a better understanding or substantiation of the allegations,” and asked for time to review the matter once Ms. Willis’s office responded.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2024

Nonetheless, most archaeologists pooh- poohed the idea, because there was no substantiation for it.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann