document

1 of 2

noun

doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-mənt How to pronounce document (audio)
-kyü-
1
law
a
archaic : proof, evidence
b
: an original or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something
c
: something (such as a photograph or a recording) that serves as evidence or proof
2
a
: a writing conveying information
financial documents
historical documents
a classified document that was leaked to the media
b
: a material substance (such as a coin or stone) having on it a representation of thoughts by means of some conventional mark or symbol
3
: a computer file containing information input by a computer user and usually created with an application (such as a spreadsheet or word processor)
create a new document
documental adjective

document

2 of 2

verb

doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-ˌment How to pronounce document (audio)
documented; documenting; documents

transitive verb

1
: to furnish documentary evidence of
documenting their claims
documenting gorillas in their natural habitat
2
: to furnish with documents
3
a
: to provide with factual or substantial support for statements made or a hypothesis proposed
charges that were well documented
document your claim
especially : to equip with exact references (see reference entry 1 sense 3b) to authoritative supporting information (as by means of footnotes)
failed to adequately document your sources
b(1)
: to construct or produce (something, such as a movie or novel) with authentic situations or events
(2)
: to portray realistically
documents the challenges of being a single parent
4
nautical : to furnish (a ship) with ship's papers
documentable
ˈdä-kyə-ˌmen-tə-bəl How to pronounce document (audio)
ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-
-kyü-
adjective
documenter noun

Examples of document in a Sentence

Noun It is important to keep all of your financial documents in a safe place. An important classified document has been leaked to the media. creating a new document on your computer I lost the document when the hard drive crashed. Verb Her study was the first to document this type of behavior in gorillas. He wrote a book documenting their struggle. Can you document the claims you're making? The charges are well documented.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
According to court documents, some Union voters were disenfranchised while other voters in the unincorporated parts of the county may have incorrectly voted in the city election. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024 There's an onboard file management system for quick organization of documents. Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Despite the gargantuan size, the coral has never been documented. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024 Of course, the president-elect’s long-standing attraction to Putin is endlessly documented. Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for document 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, precept, teaching, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin documentum official paper, from Latin, lesson, proof, from docēre to teach — more at docile

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of document was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near document

Cite this Entry

“Document.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/document. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

document

1 of 2 noun
doc·​u·​ment ˈdäk-yə-mənt How to pronounce document (audio)
1
: a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something
2
: a computer file usually created with an application program (as a word processor)

document

2 of 2 verb
doc·​u·​ment ˈdäk-yə-ˌment How to pronounce document (audio)
: to give evidence of by a document
documentable
ˈdäk-yə-ˌment-ə-bəl How to pronounce document (audio)
ˌdäk-yə-ˈment-
adjective

Legal Definition

document

1 of 2 noun
doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-mənt How to pronounce document (audio)
1
: a writing (as a deed or lease) conveying information see also instrument
2
a
: something (as a writing, photograph, or recording) that may be used as evidence
b
: an official paper (as a license) relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something (as a right or privilege)

document

2 of 2 transitive verb
doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-ˌment How to pronounce document (audio)
1
a
: to furnish documentary evidence of
b
: to provide with exact references to authoritative supporting information
2
: to furnish (as a ship) with documents (as ship's papers)

More from Merriam-Webster on document

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!