credential

1 of 3

adjective

cre·​den·​tial kri-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce credential (audio)
: warranting credit or confidence
used chiefly in the phrase credential letters

credential

2 of 3

noun

1
: something that gives a title to credit or confidence
also : qualification sense 3a
the applicant with the best credentials
2
credentials plural : testimonials or certified documents showing that a person is entitled to credit or has a right to exercise official power
a doctor's credentials
3

credential

3 of 3

verb

credentialed also credentialled; credentialing also credentialling

transitive verb

: to furnish with credentials
… to credential adequate academic performance …K. Patricia Cross
journalists who have been credentialed by the Secret Service

Examples of credential in a Sentence

Noun My experience as a manager is my strongest credential.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Consider the following three best practices to minimize the impact of a credential stuffing attack: 1. Nick Rieniets, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 His code name was evidently credential enough: Einsatz was admitted to a series of online chats that eventually included about twelve hundred far-right extremists across the country. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2024
Noun
Hudson Rock adds that the hacker apparently stole the data by uncovering the login credentials for the Hot Topic database after a third-party retail analytics firm, Robling, was infected with malware. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024 In 2018, the Trump White House revoked CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press credential, only to be forced to restore the credential after CNN filed a lawsuit. Kristen Holmes, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Candidates — or their committees — can't credential challengers. Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2024 Though many county chairs had attempted to credential delegates for both conventions, while a court ruling was pending, more than 20 only attempted to register for the Detroit convention. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for credential 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see credence

Noun

see credence

Verb

see credence

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of credential was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near credential

Cite this Entry

“Credential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credential. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on credential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!