# document

/ˈdɑkjəmɛnt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/document
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. official paper

noun · CEFR A2

an official paper that gives information or proof of something.

For teachers: an original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of a claim or transaction.

- You must bring a legal document, like a passport, to the bank.
- The solicitor requested every relevant document pertaining to the property sale to ensure the title was clear of any previous claims.

### 2. digital file

noun · CEFR A2

a computer file that contains text, like a letter or a report.

For teachers: a digital file containing text or multimedia content, typically created with a word processor.

- I saved the document on my desktop so I could find it easily.
- The software allows multiple users to edit the same document simultaneously, tracking changes in real time across different devices.

### 3. to record

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to record the details of something in writing, photos, or film.

For teachers: to record information in written, photographic, or other form to create a permanent account.

- The photographer wanted to document how people live in small villages.
- Historians have spent decades trying to document the daily lives of ordinary citizens during the industrial revolution using surviving journals and letters.

### 4. to provide evidence

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to provide papers or evidence to prove that something is true.

For teachers: to furnish with documents or evidence necessary to establish facts or support a specific argument.

- You need to document your expenses if you want the company to pay you back.
- The research paper was meticulously documented, citing over fifty primary sources to support its controversial thesis.

## Examples

- Please save the document before you close the program.
- The lawyer asked me to sign the legal document to confirm that I agreed to the terms.
- Historians rely on primary source documents to reconstruct the daily lives of people who lived centuries ago, as these records offer direct evidence of past events.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.