documentation
noun
doc·u·men·ta·tion
ˌdä-kyə-mən-ˈtā-shən 
-ˌmen-,
-kyü-
1
: the act or an instance of furnishing or authenticating with documents
2
a
: the provision of documents in substantiation
also
: documentary evidence
b(1)
: the use of historical documents
(2)
: conformity to historical or objective facts
(3)
: the provision of footnotes, appendices, or addenda referring to or containing documentary evidence
4
: the usually printed instructions, comments, and information for using a particular piece or system of computer software or hardware
Examples of documentation in a Sentence
You cannot visit the country unless you have the proper documentation.
Keep your receipts as documentation of your purchases.
Can you provide documentation of the claims you're making?
The program's documentation is poorly written.
Recent Examples on the Web
Besides images of the missing antiquities, the archive featured extensive documentation and details of the many people involved in the illicit trade.
—
Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
The core of the film is its focus on the female gaze — a perspective mostly absent from historical documentation.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025
Overcoming the documentation challenge with AI The idea originated with Diablo Canyon, California’s only operational nuclear power plant.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Supporting evidence can include bank statements spanning multiple years, tax returns, business records, property documentation, and cryptocurrency wallets or transaction histories.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for documentation
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Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
The core of the film is its focus on the female gaze — a perspective mostly absent from historical documentation.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025
Overcoming the documentation challenge with AI The idea originated with Diablo Canyon, California’s only operational nuclear power plant.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Supporting evidence can include bank statements spanning multiple years, tax returns, business records, property documentation, and cryptocurrency wallets or transaction histories.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for documentation
Cite this Entry
“Documentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/documentation. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
documentation
noun
doc·u·men·ta·tion
ˌdäk-yə-mən-ˈtā-shən
-ˌmen-
1
: the providing of documents as proof
2
: evidence in the form of documents
3
: written instructions for using a computer or computer program
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