substantiation

American  

[suhb-stan-shee-ey-shuhn] / səbˌstæn ʃiˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, valid, or real; proof.

   The department may require employees to provide vouchers, receipts, or other substantiation for any fees or expenses claimed.

2. the act or process of establishing or proving the truth of something.

   For scientific substantiation of health effects, the nutrients in these vitamin capsules must first be accurately measured.

3. the act or instance of giving something material existence or concrete form.

   The protagonist is visited by a digital, partial substantiation of his late wife, awakening other ghosts from his past.

   The minister’s sermon was on Christ as the substantiation of God’s true love, true life, and true lineage.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubstantiation noun
• resubstantiation noun

Etymology

Origin of substantiation

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin substantiātiōn-, stem of substantiātiō; see substantiate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

“We believe in the strength of the scientific substantiation supporting our applications, which have been at the agency for some time,” a Philip Morris International spokesperson told Barron’s via email.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The UK's advertising code states that the basis of claims about environmental sustainability must be clear and "supported by a high level of substantiation".

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

"We don’t think there’s any substantiation of the need to raise capital," said Kevin Fromer, president and CEO of the Financial Services Forum, which represents large global banks.

From Reuters • Jul. 20, 2023

It is to the words inside as a gorgeous perfume bottle is to its scent: the substantiation of the contents.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2023

Nonetheless, most archaeologists pooh- poohed the idea, because there was no substantiation for it.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann