certificate

[ noun ser-tif-i-kit; verb ser-tif-i-keyt ]

noun

1. a document serving as evidence or as written testimony, as of status, qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something.
2. a document attesting to the fact that a person has completed an educational course, issued either by an institution not authorized to grant diplomas, or to a student not qualifying for a diploma.
3. Law. a statement, written and signed, which is by law made evidence of the truth of the facts stated, for all or for certain purposes.
4. Finance.
   1. gold certificate.
   2. silver certificate.

verb (used with object)

, cer·tif·i·cat·ed, cer·tif·i·cat·ing.

1. to furnish with or authorize by a certificate.
2. to issue an official certificate attesting to the training, aptitude, and qualification of:

   to certificate a teacher.

certificate

noun

1. an official document attesting the truth of the facts stated, as of birth, marital status, death, health, completion of an academic course, ability to practise a profession, etc
2. short for share certificate

verb

1. tr to authorize by or present with an official document

Derived Forms

• cerˈtificatory, adjective

Other Words From

• cer·tif·i·ca·to·ry [ser-, tif, -, uh, -ki-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• noncer·tifi·cated adjective
• uncer·tifi·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of certificate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English certificat < Medieval Latin certificātum, noun use of neuter of certificātus certified (past participle of certificāre ), equivalent to certific- ( certify ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of certificate¹

C15: from Old French certificat, from certifier certify

Example Sentences

The 28-time Grammy Award winner’s cause of death was listed as the aggressive form of cancer, according to a death certificate issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and obtained by TMZ.

From Los Angeles Times

According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, the legendary musician and producer passed away from pancreatic cancer.

From Salon

A newly published copy of his death certificate dispels much of the mystery: According to that document, Valenzuela’s underlying cause of death was possibly related to a liver disease and liver failure.

From Los Angeles Times

She joined a drama club, studied for a London Guildhall drama school certificate, and finally joined a local theatre company in 1942.

From BBC

“All of our family memories,” she said, “all of our possessions, Social Security cards, death certificates, birth certificates, my husband’s father’s ashes, my father’s ashes and my mother’s ashes.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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