Etymologically
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documentation

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 12:45. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˌdɒk.jə.menˈteɪ.ʃən/, US /ˌdɑː.kjə.menˈteɪ.ʃən/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from the verb document and -ation, or else from a Medieval Latin noun meaning “a reminding”,[2] ultimately from Latin documentum (“example, proof, lesson”), in Medieval Latin an official written paper (see document).[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Admonition, instruction, teaching, a sense now obsolete: 1754.[2][3][4]

Semantic evolution

The furnishing of a ship with the papers it needs is from 1884,[3] and the preparation or use of documentary evidence by 1888.[3][2] The collecting, classifying and spreading of information is from 1905 in the OED, 1927 in Etymonline.[3][2] In computing it is the written material supplied with a program.[5]

Timeline

  • 1754 – instruction (obsolete).[3][2]
  • 1884 – a ship's papers.[3]
  • 1888 – documentary evidence.[3][2]
  • 1905 – organizing information.[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. The act of supplying documents or supporting references.
  2. The documents or references supplied.
  3. The furnishing and use of documentary evidence, as in a court of law.
  4. The organized collection and coding of printed material for reference.
  5. (computing) The written comments, manuals and diagrams supplied with a program or system.

Word family

  • documentational

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins