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

EV owners who got pushback from family and friends before buying their electric vehicle told MarketWatch that skyrocketing gas prices are giving them a sense of validation.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

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

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“I think they were impressed with the validation that we’ve received from our tier one customers,” CEO J. Clay Sell told Barron’s on Friday.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Maybe it was the underbelly of all of the bravado and power-seeking—some desire to counter all the validation with the humiliation of knowing that, deep down, he’s just a revolting little worm.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

It was simply her validation that all those things had taken place.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Related Words

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