validation

American  

[val-i-dey-shuhn] / ˌvæl ɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of confirming something as true or correct: You will be prompted to enter your new password a second time for validation.

   The new method is very promising but requires validation through further testing.

   You will be prompted to enter your new password a second time for validation.

2. the act of officially or legally certifying or approving something.

   The proposal will be prioritized and put into action after it undergoes validation by the government.

3. the act of affirming a person, or their ideas, feelings, actions, etc., as acceptable and worthy.

   Recognition and validation of minority cultures by classroom teachers is crucial to student wellbeing and success.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvalidation
  noun
• revalidation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of validation

valid(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Explanation

Validation is making sure that something is true. Even if you know you're a great poet, you may still long for the validation of being awarded a literary prize or having a volume of your poems published by a respected press. Your winning lottery ticket may require validation — lottery officials have to check it to make sure it's not counterfeit and that you really do have the winning numbers. The word validation is formed from the Latin word for "strong," validus, and validation makes something strong. You may claim that you've danced more tango turns than anyone else in the history of the world, but you'll have to wait for someone from Guinness World Records to give your claim validation.

Example Sentences

The validation he received there from Cage, whom he describes as “a legend,” felt like a priceless reward.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Dr. Osler said: "The conversational, companion-like nature of chatbots means they can provide a sense of social validation -- making false beliefs feel shared with another, and thereby more real."

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

Tackling my next deck, “Boundaries Make Jobs Clear,” I learn that parents’ jobs include boundaries and validation; children’s jobs are expressing desires and feelings.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

She says she feels "vindication" and "validation" that her case has been recognised by the British government.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

I know she’ll never agree to this, but she brightens considerably at the suggestion, at the validation of her complaint.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• acceptance
• affirmation
• authorization
• corroboration
• endorsement
• proof
• recognition
• verification