confirmation

noun

con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən 

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

ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• attestation
• corroboration
• documentation
• evidence
• proof
• substantiation
• testament
• testimonial
• testimony
• validation
• voucher
• witness

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

Louisiana — the home state of Sen. Bill Cassidy, who'll have a key role in the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. North Carolina and Indiana, the home states of Sens. Thom Tillis, a moderate Republican up for reelection in 2026, and Todd Young, who didn't endorse Trump in the 2024 election. —Sophia Cai, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. —Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

The Senate will likely hold confirmation hearings, which are public, for Trump’s Cabinet picks. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

While authorities have acknowledged the drones' recent presence, there has been no official confirmation that one crashed. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see confirm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing confirmation

• gender confirmation surgery

Kids Definition

confirmation

noun

con·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən 

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 

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