confirmation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct
    substantiation; verification; check.
    • fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
  2. noun information that confirms or verifies
  3. noun making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it
    ratification.
    • the ratification of the treaty
    • confirmation of the appointment
  4. noun a ceremony held in the synagogue (usually at Pentecost) to admit as adult members of the Jewish community young men and women who have successfully completed a course of study in Judaism
  5. noun a sacrament admitting a baptized person to full participation in the church

WordNet

Con`fir*ma"tion noun
Etymology
F. confirmation, L. confirmatio.
Definitions
  1. The act of confirming or strengthening; the act of establishing, ratifying, or sanctioning; as, the confirmation of an appointment.
    Their blood is shed In confirmation of the noblest claim. Cowper.
  2. That which confirms; that which gives new strength or assurance; as to a statement or belief; additional evidence; proof; convincing testimony.
    Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. Shak.
  3. (Eccl.) A rite supplemental to baptism, by which a person is admitted, through the laying on of the hands of a bishop, to the full privileges of the church, as in the Roman Catholic, the Episcopal Church, etc.
    This ordinance is called confirmation, because they who duly receive it are confirmed or strengthened for the fulfillment of their Christian duties, by the grace therein bestowed upon them. Hook.
  4. (Law) A conveyance by which a voidable estate is made sure and not voliable, or by which a particular estate is increased; a contract, express or implied, by which a person makes that firm and binding which was before voidable.

Webster 1913