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historical documents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
Noun
The private security force is majority-owned by G4S Secure Solutions, an international security company based in Florida, according to court documents filed in 2022. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 The defendants’ contention was that the author had acquired the documents outrightly, without expectation of return, and that their purchase of the lyrics from the would-be biographer was fully legal. Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 Sanders, who has not been charged, sold the documents to Horowitz in 2005, per the DA's office, and Horowitz subsequently sold them to Craig Inciardi and Edward Kosinski, who were also defendants in the trial. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Within days of the incident, a Federal Aviation Administration investigator learned Pooley and the other instructor had signed off on Kwon’s training documents — but during the period when the other instructor was out of the country. Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 Part of his goal for the armed abductions of the Christian missionaries was to secure his own release from a Haitian prison, according to court documents. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024 Provided a copy of the Wyoming incorporation document, experts say using a fake person would likely violate the law. William Turton, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024 Insurance could also be affected by an HOA’s failure to follow the requirements of the law and governing documents. Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 The collection amount since has grown to more than $10 million, including the receiver’s fee and attorney’s fees with interest, according to a court document filed by the receiver in July 2022. USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
The 2023 study also documented the economic impact for the full event season at Summerfest's home base, Maier Festival Park. Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 The Plaza bunnies, now more than 100 years old, have a long and sporadically documented history. Sidney Steele, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Widespread Au-Ag mineralization is well documented in the target area. Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 With all that extra heat energy circulating around the atmosphere, meteorologists are documenting unprecedented weather conditions and rates of climatic change. The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Each year, Hinton documents the holiday on his social media by snapping photos with Dench in her Arizona home. Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 The ambassadors, working under a program with a $325,000 annual budget, will document interactions and statistics, according to information from the mayor’s office. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2024 That would be documented on I.R.S. Form 1099-K, which would be sent to both the I.R.S. and the taxpayer. Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Since joining husband Travis on tour in Australia with the kids, Kourtney has documented her family time down under on social media. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'document.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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

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