affirmation

American  

[af-er-mey-shuhn] / ˌæf ərˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed.

2. the assertion that something exists or is true.

3. something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.

4. confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc.

5. Law. a solemn declaration accepted instead of a statement under oath.

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affirmation British  

/ ˌæfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of affirming or the state of being affirmed

2. a statement of the existence or truth of something; assertion

3. law a solemn declaration permitted on grounds of conscientious objection to taking an oath

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Other Word Forms

• nonaffirmation noun
• overaffirmation noun
• preaffirmation noun
• reaffirmation noun
• self-affirmation noun

Etymology

Origin of affirmation

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin affirmātiōn-, stem of affirmātiō, equivalent to affirmāt(us) (past participle of affirmāre affirm ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

"All Rise has that triumphant feeling and affirmation of our common humanity in spite of the tribulations and pitfalls."

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

“This decision represents another important affirmation of the Rule of Law and provides clarity for businesses that have borne the financial burden of these unlawful tariffs,” Woldenberg said.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

I watched one, and another, nodding along to the digital daily affirmation.

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2026

I was envious—I wanted the same feelings of affirmation they had.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

But I stomp on it by chanting my words of affirmation out loud.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• assertion
• confirmation