Merriam-Webster Logo
  • Dictionary
  • Thesaurus
  • Medical
  • Scrabble
  • Spanish Central
  • Learner's Dictionary


noun doc·u·ment \ˈdä-kyə-mənt, -kyü-\

Simple Definition of document


  • : a computer file that contains text that you have written

Full Definition of document

  1. 1 a archaic :  proof, evidence b :  an original or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something c :  something (as a photograph or a recording) that serves as evidence or proof

  2. 2 a :  a writing conveying information b :  a material substance (as a coin or stone) having on it a representation of thoughts by means of some conventional mark or symbol c :  documentary

  3. 3 :  a computer file containing information input by a computer user and usually created with an application (as a word processor)

doc·u·men·tal play \ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-təl, -kyü-\ adjective

Examples of document



  3. creating a new document on your computer

  4. I lost the document when the hard drive crashed.

Origin of document


First Known Use: 15th century



verb doc·u·ment \ˈdä-kyə-ˌment\

Simple Definition of document


  • : to prove (something) by using usually written evidence

Full Definition of document

  1. transitive verb
  2. 1 :  to furnish documentary evidence of

  3. 2 :  to furnish with documents

  4. 3 a :  to provide with factual or substantial support for statements made or a hypothesis proposed; especially :  to equip with exact references to authoritative supporting information b (1) :  to construct or produce (as a movie or novel) with authentic situations or events (2) :  to portray realistically

  5. 4 :  to furnish (a ship) with ship's papers

doc·u·ment·able play \-ˌmen-tə-bəl, ˌdä-kyə-ˈ, -kyü-\ adjective
doc·u·ment·er play \ˈdä-kyə-ˌmen-tər\ noun

Examples of document


  2. He wrote a book documenting their struggle.

  3. Can you document the claims you're making?

  4. The charges are well documented.


First Known Use of document


Seen and Heard



February 7, 2016

a slight offense

Get Word of the Day daily email!


Take a 3-minute break and test your skills!



spindrift kittly-benders duvet pince-nez
Name That Thing


