Definition of: certificate

(sər·tif′ə·kit) noun
1. A written declaration or testimonial.
2. A writing signed and legally authenticated.
3. A writing or statement certifying that the one named therein has satisfactorily completed a certain educational course.
—gold (or silver) certificates Certificates issued by the U.S. government, and used as currency, on the basis of gold (or silver) bullion of equal amounts deposited with the government for their redemption.
—v.t. (-kāt) ·cat·ed, ·cat·ing To furnish with or attest by a certificate. [<Med. L certificatus, pp. of certificare. See CERTIFY.]
—cer·tif·i·ca·to·ry (sər·tif′ə·kə·tôr′ē, -tō′rē) adjective