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: the use of historical documents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
Monitoring and documentation requirements of releases are merely recommended, and avoidance and minimization of adverse impacts to animals, plants and the public are left up to the industry.
—
Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Those determinations are meant to be objective, consistent, and tied directly to roadway risk — not to a driver’s place of birth or how their documentation appears in the moment.
—Bhupinder Kaur, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Advance approval and documentation are typically required, and relevant legal rules apply even when early disembarkation is allowed, CLIA added.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
In the release, the company emphasized that the tool extends beyond pure programming and into tasks like documentation and presentations, representing another potential overlap with traditional business software.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for documentation
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Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Those determinations are meant to be objective, consistent, and tied directly to roadway risk — not to a driver’s place of birth or how their documentation appears in the moment.
—Bhupinder Kaur, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Advance approval and documentation are typically required, and relevant legal rules apply even when early disembarkation is allowed, CLIA added.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
In the release, the company emphasized that the tool extends beyond pure programming and into tasks like documentation and presentations, representing another potential overlap with traditional business software.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for documentation
Cite this Entry
“Documentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/documentation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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