certification

noun

cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsər-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce certification (audio)
Synonyms of certificationnext
1
: the act of certifying : the state of being certified
2
: a certified statement

Synonyms of certification

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Examples of certification in a Sentence

the certification of the vote She had to wait until her certification as a nurse before she could start her new job. The certifications of nine teachers were revoked. The school offers scuba diving certification.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On top of the $255 registration fee, the 26-year-old bartender also had to pay for a background check, scrubs, a stethoscope, special shoes and a state certification exam — all while working half as much to make time for her classes. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 As of late July, the RSSA final certification exam is now administered and proctored by the College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan company, using live online proctoring. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Your lender and school will provide information needed to complete the required certification. — Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Some smokejumpers eventually become senior or master riggers, certifications issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for certification

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of certification was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing certification

Rhymes for certification

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Browse Nearby Words

certificate of public convenience and necessity
certification
certification mark
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Cite this Entry

“Certification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certification. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

certification

noun
cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsərt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce certification (audio)
: the act of certifying : the state of being certified
psychiatrists with subspecialty board certification in geriatrics—Gary Kennedy

Legal Definition

certification

noun
cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsər-ti-fi-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce certification (audio)
1
a
: the act of certifying
b
: the state of being certified see also certiorari

Note: Certification of an interlocutory decision by a trial court allows an appellate court to review the decision and to answer a controlling question of law. Certification is often used in state courts as well as federal courts and, where available, allows a federal court to refer a question of state law to the state's highest court. Certification is also used to refer to a judge's order that allows a suit to be maintained as a class action.

2
: a certified statement

More from Merriam-Webster on certification

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about certification

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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