Accreditation

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˌkɹɛd.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

Definitions

1. The assignment of official status to an institution for meeting defined criteria is known as authorization
2. The process of officially recognizing an organization for conforming to predetermined standards is termed validation
3. The formal process of granting recognition to an entity that satisfies established requirements

Etymology: "Accreditation" is a plain formation: the verb "accredit" with the suffix "-ation" attached, which turns an action into a noun for the act or result. The verb "accredit" is the older piece here. It comes from Medieval Latin "accreditare," built from Latin "ad-" (to) and "credere" (to believe, trust), so the core idea is lending someone credit or trust, as in putting a person's name forward so others will believe in them. That sense of "giving credit" still lies underneath the modern meaning. The noun first appears in English in 1806, and it arrived at a time when "accredit" was already used for sending someone out with official standing, such as an envoy accredited to a foreign court. Accreditation therefore grew from the idea of formally vouching for someone or something. Over time the sense narrowed from people and their credentials to institutions, schools, and programs, which now receive official approval once they meet set standards.

Synonyms: authorization, approval, certification, validation, recognition

Antonyms: denial, rejection, disapproval, disqualification, invalidity