certification

noun

cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsər-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of certifying : the state of being certified

2

: a certified statement

Synonyms of certification

• certificate

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

Tjon brings more than 16 years of experience across certification, assurance and global textile supply chains. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Elfe quit her job in luxury retail and enrolled in a teacher assistant certification program at the center in 2022, before continuing her education in its apprenticeship program. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

The settlement comes less than a month after Uber and Lyft drivers in California secured collective bargaining power for the first time with the certification of the California Gig Workers Union. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Chief executives of 737 Max 10 customers, Alaska Airlines and Ryanair, earlier this week brushed off concerns about the aircraft’s certification delays. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing certification

• certification mark

Rhymes for certification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

certification

noun

cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌsərt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

: 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 

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