document
DOK-yuu-muhnt
Document (noun) means a piece of written, printed, or electronic material that provides information or serves as proof. Example: “Please sign the document before you leave.”
noun
1
A piece of written, printed, or electronic material that provides information or serves as proof.
"Please sign the document before you leave."
"The lawyer reviewed every document related to the case."
"She saved the document as a PDF and emailed it to her manager."
verb
1
To record something in detail, often as evidence.
"The journalist documented the effects of the drought."
"Scientists documented every change in the glacier over the course of the summer."
"Keep a diary to document what happened, in case you need proof later."
How to use document
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA written or digital record, or the act of recording facts in detail.
Common pairings
sign a document
document evidence
legal document
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Word forms
- Plural
- documents
- Third person singular
- documents
- Past tense
- documented
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please sign the _____ before you leave.
Etymology
From Latin documentum, "lesson" or "proof," from docere, "to teach."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for document
See all rhymes for document →Frequently asked questions
What does “document” mean?
The word “document” means a piece of written, printed, or electronic material that provides information or serves as proof. In plain terms, a written or digital record, or the act of recording facts in detail.
How do you pronounce “document”?
“Document” is pronounced DOK-yuu-muhnt (/ˈdɑkjʊmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “document” in a sentence?
Here is “document” used in a sentence: “Please sign the document before you leave.”
What part of speech is “document”?
Depending on how it is used, “document” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “document” come from?
The word “document” comes from Latin. From Latin documentum, "lesson" or "proof," from docere, "to teach.".
Is “document” a common word?
“Document” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “document” have?
“Document” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of written, printed, or electronic material that provides information or serves as proof.
What are the types of documents?
Documents come in many forms. There are legal documents like contracts and deeds, official ones such as passports and certificates, and business documents including reports, invoices, and memos. Personal documents cover letters and records. Today many exist electronically as files — PDFs, spreadsheets, and word-processor files — as well as on paper.
What is the difference between a document and a file?
A document is a single piece of written, printed, or electronic material that carries information. A file is broader: in computing it is any named unit of stored data, which might be a document, an image, a video, or a program. Every digital document is a file, but not every file is a document.
What makes something an official document?
An official document is issued or recognised by an authority and can serve as proof, such as a birth certificate, contract, or licence. It usually carries identifying details, dates, signatures, or stamps that establish its authenticity. This evidential role is what separates official documents from ordinary notes or informal writing.
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