confirmation

noun

con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce confirmation (audio)
1
: an act or process of confirming: such as
a(1)
: a Christian rite conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit and among Protestants full church membership
(2)
: a ceremony especially of Reform Judaism confirming youths in their faith
b
: the ratification of an executive act by a legislative body
the confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee
2
a
: confirming proof : corroboration
found confirmation of a theory
The report needed confirmation.
b
: the process of supporting a statement by evidence
confirmational adjective

Examples of confirmation in a Sentence

Reporters awaited confirmation from the army about the battle. We don't have independent confirmation of the facts. Final confirmation came only after the investigation was completed. You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your order. You will receive confirmation of your order by e-mail. Many senators are opposed to his confirmation as a federal judge.
Recent Examples on the Web For some investors, the bullishness is a sign of the Fed’s loosening grip on the fate of financial markets, with money managers instead homing in on confirmation that the economy is humming and can continue to do so even if rates remain elevated. Joe Rennison, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 The bill would eliminate the governor's ability to fill vacancies in the offices of secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent of public instruction by appointment and without confirmation of the state Senate. Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 But the book also details Ford’s life after the confirmation: the death threats, the upheaval, the backlash. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Snell, however, appeared to offer his own confirmation with a photo posted to his personal Instagram of him edited into the Giants’ home uniform, captioned with two orange and black heart emojis. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 The documentary did not provide further confirmation of Peck and Gacy’s relationship. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 Tanaka’s former basketball team provided the clearest confirmation the woman accompanying Ohtani on the flight to Seoul was his wife. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Audiences no longer look for beauty — or truth — but seek political confirmation. Armond White, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024 The New York Times received confirmation of his death from his wife, Diana McCourt. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confirmation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see confirm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confirmation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near confirmation

Cite this Entry

“Confirmation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confirmation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

confirmation

noun
con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce confirmation (audio)
1
: an act or process of confirming
2
: a religious ceremony admitting a person to full privileges in a church or synagogue
3
: something that confirms : proof
confirmatory
kən-ˈfər-mə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

Legal Definition

confirmation

noun
con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce confirmation (audio)
1
: the act or process of confirming, assuring, or upholding
seeking confirmation of the agreement
specifically : the ratification of an executive act by a legislative body
senate confirmation of the Supreme Court nominee
2
: something that confirms: as
a
: an express or implied contract by which a person makes a voidable agreement binding
specifically : a definite expression or written memorandum that verifies or substantiates an agreement previously made orally or informally
b
in the civil law of Louisiana : a declaration whereby a person corrects the parts of an obligation that are null to make them enforceable
c
: a conveyance by which valid title to an estate is transferred to a person already in possession or by which an estate is increased

More from Merriam-Webster on confirmation

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