verification

American  

[ver-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌvɛr ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of verifying.

2. the state of being verified.

3. evidence that establishes or confirms the accuracy or truth of something.

   We could find no verification for his fantastic claims.

4. a formal assertion of the truth of something, as by oath or affidavit.

5. the process of research, examination, etc., required to prove or establish authenticity or validity.

6. Law. a short confirmatory affidavit at the end of a pleading or petition.

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verification British  

/ ˌvɛrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. establishment of the correctness of a theory, fact, etc

2. evidence that provides proof of an assertion, theory, etc

3. law

   1. (formerly) a short affidavit at the end of a pleading stating the pleader's readiness to prove his assertions

   2. confirmatory evidence

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Other Word Forms

• nonverification noun
• preverification noun
• reverification noun
• unverificative adjective
• verificative adjective
• verificatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of verification

1515–25; < Medieval Latin vērificātiōn (stem of vērificātiō ), equivalent to vērificāt ( us ) (past participle of vērificāre; see verify, -ate ¹) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Verification is an extra or final bit of proof that establishes something is true. To verify something is to make sure it's correct or true, so verification is an action that establishes the truth of something. Checking an ID is a verification of your age. Your bank will often ask for part of your social security number as verification of your identity. Scientists do research to establish verification for their theories. In all cases, verification is like a stamp of approval.

Example Sentences

World also describes the verification technique as anonymous, saying no personal information, like a name or address, is required.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Cohn says policies like age verification severely limit every internet user’s privacy and ability to be anonymous online.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

Even advanced theoretical models can miss key details, making experimental verification essential for understanding molecular structures.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

Age verification can be narrow, limited to confirming a user is old enough to be on the platform without collecting additional personal data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

But there was nothing you could do with a mooring except acknowledge it, use it for the verification of some idea you wanted to keep alive.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison