documentation

[ dok-yuh-men-tey-shuhn, -muhn- ]

noun

1. the use of documentary evidence.
2. a furnishing with documents, as to substantiate a claim or the data in a book or article.
3. Computers. manuals, listings, diagrams, and other hard- or soft-copy written and graphic materials that describe the use, operation, maintenance, or design of software or hardware:

   The documentation for the driver program is displayed on the screen.

documentation

/ ˌdɒkjʊmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of supplying with or using documents or references
2. the documents or references supplied
3. the furnishing and use of documentary evidence, as in a court of law
4. computing the written comments, graphical illustrations, flowcharts, manuals, etc, supplied with a program or software system

Other Words From

• docu·men·tation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of documentation¹

First recorded in 1745–55; document + -ation

Related Words

• affidavit
• authentication
• authorization
• certification
• coupon
• credential
• deed
• diploma
• guarantee
• license
• paper
• permit
• receipt
• ticket
• voucher
• warrant
• warranty