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document
  noun
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doc·u·ment | \ ˈdä-kyə-mənt  , -kyü- \
Definition of document
 (Entry 1 of 2)
1law
aarchaic  : 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
2a: a writing conveying
informationfinancial documentshistorical documentsa
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
c: DOCUMENTARY
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

document
  verb
 doc·u·ment | \ ˈdä-kyə-ˌment  \
documented; documenting; documents
Definition of document (Entry 2 of 2)
transitive verb
1: to furnish documentary evidence ofdocumenting their
claimsdocumenting gorillas in their natural habitat
2: to furnish with documents
3a: to provide with factual or substantial support for statements made or a
hypothesis proposedcharges that were well documenteddocument your
claimespecially : 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 realisticallydocuments the challenges of being a single parent
4nautical  : to furnish (a ship) with ship's papers

Other Words from   documentSynonyms & Antonyms More

Example Sentences Learn More about   document
Other Words from document
Noun

documental \ ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-tᵊl  , -kyü- \ adjective

Verb

documentable \ ˈdä-kyə-ˌmen-tə-bəl  , ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen- , -kyü- \ adjective
documenter \ ˈdä-kyə-ˌmen-tər  \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for document

Synonyms: Noun

 blank, 
 form, 
 paper

Synonyms: Verb

 demonstrate, 
 establish, 
 prove, 
 substantiate, 
 validate
 Antonyms: Verb

 disprove, 
 rebut, 
 refute
Visit the Thesaurus for More  

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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: NounThe red, two-door sedan then struck a
6-year-old boy who was crossing the street, and the driver fled, the
a document  said.— Tim Stelloh, NBC News, "Woman claiming to be Harry Potter accused
in hit-and-run death of federal judge," 12 Apr. 2021In one July meeting, he was
reported to have put his hand on a staffer's knee during a meeting in his
office, the document  states.— Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Probe into
complaints finds Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer not subject to city's anti-
harassment policy," 8 Apr. 2021
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect
current usage of the word 'document.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion
of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
See More

First Known Use of document

Noun

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

Verb

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for document

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

Learn More about document

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Time Traveler for document

The first known use of document was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries near document

doctrine of descent
doctrinism
docudrama
document
documentalist
documentarian
documentarist
See More Nearby Entries  

Statistics for document
Last Updated

15 Apr 2021
Look-up Popularity
Top 1% of words

Cite this Entry

“Document.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/document. Accessed 16 Apr.
2021.
Style: MLA

More Definitions for document

document
  noun
English Language Learners Definition of document
 (Entry 1 of 2)
: an official paper that gives information about something or that is used as
proof of something
: a computer file that contains text that you have written

document
  verb
English Language Learners Definition of document (Entry
2 of 2)
: to create a record of (something) through writing, film, photography, etc.
: to prove (something) by using usually written evidence
See the full definition for  document in the English Language Learners
Dictionary

document
  noun
doc·u·ment | \ ˈdä-kyə-mənt  \
Kids Definition of document
 (Entry 1 of 2)
1: a written or printed paper that gives information about or proof of
somethingYour birth certificate is a legal document.
2: a computer file containing data entered by a user

document
  verb
documented; documenting
Kids Definition of document (Entry 2 of 2)
1: to record (as on paper or in film) the details
aboutScientists documented the medical study.
2: to prove through usually written recordsCan you document what you are
claiming?

document
  noun
doc·u·ment | \ ˈdä-kyə-mənt  \
Legal Definition of document
 (Entry 1 of 2)
1: a writing (as a deed or lease) conveying information— see
also INSTRUMENT
2a: 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
  transitive verb
doc·u·ment | \ ˈdä-kyə-ˌment  \
Legal Definition of document (Entry 2 of 2)
1a: 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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for  document
Nglish: Translation of document for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of  document for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about  document

Comments on document
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heard it (including the quote, if possible).
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