/ ˈsɜːtɪfaɪ; NAmE ˈsɜːrt-/ verb ( cer·ti·fies , cer·ti·fy·ing , cer·ti·fied , cer·ti·fied )
1.
certify sb/sth (as) sth to state officially, especially in writing, that sth is true :
[ v ( that )]
He handed her a piece of paper certifying (that) she was in good health.
This (= this document) is to certify that ...
[ vn - adj ]
He was certified dead on arrival.
The accounts were certified (as) correct by the finance department.
[also vn to inf ]
2.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] certify sb (as sth) to give sb an official document proving that they are qualified to work in a particular profession
3.
[ usually passive ] ( BrE , law ) to officially state that sb is mentally ill, so that they can be given medical treatment :
[ vn ]
Patients must be certified before they can be admitted to the hospital.
[also vn - adj ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French certifier , from late Latin certificare , from Latin certus certain.