Meaning & use
validation
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
The act of checking or proving that something is true, correct or acceptable.
Grammar: Usually uncountable: data validation.
Patterns
- validation of something
- validation by someone
The scientists asked for independent validation of the results.
Form validation prevents empty fields from being submitted.
The test provides validation of the method.
noununcountable
The feeling of being recognized and accepted, or a statement that tells someone their feelings or choices make sense.
Grammar: Often used with seek or need: seek validation.
Patterns
- seek validation from someone
- need validation
She needed validation from her friends before she posted.
A good therapist offers validation of your feelings.
He didn't need anyone's validation to follow his dream.
nouncountable or uncountableformal
An official stamp or check that makes a document, ticket or agreement legally valid.
Grammar: Used in travel and official settings: ticket validation.
Patterns
- validation of a ticket
Parking validation is free with a purchase.
The ticket requires validation before boarding.
The contract needs validation by a notary.
Word forms
| plural | validations |
|---|
Common combinations
- seek validation
- Many people seek validation online.
- data validation
- Data validation catches errors in the form.
- external validation
- She doesn't depend on external validation.
- emotional validation
- Children need emotional validation.
- validation process
- The validation process took a week.
- parking validation
- Ask for parking validation at the desk.
Synonyms and how they differ
- confirmation
- Confirmation says something is true or booked, while validation implies a check against a standard.
- verification
- Verification is checking that something is correct, and is more technical than validation.
- approval
- Approval means agreeing or allowing, but validation includes proof or recognition.
- endorsement
- Endorsement is public support from someone, which is narrower than validation.
Opposites
Word family
- validate verb
- to check or prove that something is valid
- valid adjective
- acceptable or true
- validity noun
- the quality of being valid
- invalidate verb
- to make something no longer valid
Commonly confused: validation or validity?
validation vs validity
Validity is the quality of being valid, while validation is the act of confirming it.
Practice
Which word fits? 'The software performs ___ to make sure each email address has the right format.'
Choose one answer.
Validation means checking something is correct. Valuation sounds similar but means working out a price.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “validation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.