certificate

[ noun ser-tif-i-kit; verb ser-tif-i-keyt ]
/ noun sərˈtɪf ɪ kɪt; verb sərˈtɪf ɪˌkeɪt /

noun

a document serving as evidence or as written testimony, as of status, qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something.
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.
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.

verb (used with object), cer·tif·i·cat·ed, cer·tif·i·cat·ing.

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

Origin of certificate

1375–1425; late Middle English certificat < Medieval Latin certificātum, noun use of neuter of certificātus certified (past participle of certificāre), equivalent to certific- (see certify) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM certificate

cer·tif·i·ca·to·ry [ser-tif-uh-ki-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /sərˈtɪf ə kɪˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective non·cer·tif·i·cat·ed, adjective un·cer·tif·i·cat·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH certificate

certificate degree diploma license

Example sentences from the Web for certificate

British Dictionary definitions for certificate

certificate

noun (səˈtɪfɪkɪt)

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
short for share certificate

verb (səˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt)

(tr) to authorize by or present with an official document

Derived forms of certificate

certificatory, adjective

Word Origin for certificate

C15: from Old French certificat, from certifier certify