accreditation
UK: /əˌkrɛdɪˈteɪʃən/ | US: /əˌkrɛdɪˈteɪʃən/
n. Official recognition or certification of an institution or individual’s competence or credibility.
n. The process of verifying standards or qualifications.
accredit<to certify> + ation<noun suffix>
- accredit: From Latin accreditare (ad- "to" + credere "to trust"). Implies granting trust or authority.
- ation: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or process (e.g., "validation").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin credere (to believe/trust), reflecting the core idea of granting trust. The prefix ad- (toward) merged into ac- before "credit," emphasizing authoritative approval. Over time, accreditation evolved to formalize institutional trust, mirroring societal needs for standardized validation (e.g., in education or professions).
The university received full accreditation for its engineering programs.
Accreditation ensures hospitals meet safety standards.
The journalist’s accreditation was revoked due to unethical reporting.
Earning professional accreditation can advance your career.
The committee oversees the accreditation process for schools nationwide.