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credential

The definition of a credential is a specific qualification or achievement that shows you are qualified or it is a document or certificate proving your identity for a specific purpose.

(noun)

A master's degree or a certificate in business is an example of a credential.
A government issued ID that allows you access into a secured area is an example of a credential.

See credential in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Rare entitling to credit, confidence, etc.; accrediting

Origin: ME credencial < ML credentialis: see credence

noun

anything giving evidence that someone is entitled to or deserving of credit, confidence, etc.
a document that serves as official proof of a person's position, authority, etc.; specif., letters of credence

transitive verb credentialed, credentialing

to furnish with credentials

See credential in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

That which entitles one to confidence, credit, or authority.
credentials Evidence or testimonials concerning one's right to credit, confidence, or authority: The new ambassador presented her credentials to the president.

transitive verb cre·den·tialed, cre·den·tial·ing, cre·den·tials
Usage Problem

To supply with credentials: “trained, professional, credentialed child care” (Lee Salk).

Origin:

Origin: From Medieval Latin crēdentiālis, giving authority

Origin: , from crēdentia, trust; see credence

Usage Note: The use of the participle credentialed to refer to certified teachers and other professionals is well established (She became credentialed through a graduate program at a local college), but its more general use to mean “possessing professional or expert credentials” is still widely considered jargon. The sentence The board heard testimony from a number of credentialed witnesses was unacceptable to 85 percent of the Usage Panel.

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