Document Meaning
Document Definition & Usage
A written, printed, or electronic record that provides information or evidence.
Examples
- "Please submit the required documents before the deadline."
- "She handed me a document that outlined the project's scope."
- "The historical document was carefully preserved in a museum."
- "I need to print out the document for my meeting tomorrow."
- "The lawyer reviewed the document to ensure all details were accurate."
To create a written or digital record of something for the purpose of preserving it or providing evidence.
Examples
- "The researcher documented the results of the experiment."
- "She documented every step of her journey in a travel blog."
- "The police officer documented the crime scene for investigation."
- "Make sure you document any changes you make to the software."
- "He documented the meeting minutes and sent them out to all participants."
A file or text stored electronically, usually containing formatted information.
Examples
- "I just saved the document on my desktop."
- "Please open the Word document attached to this email."
- "He accidentally deleted the document with the latest updates."
- "The document was corrupted and couldn't be opened."
- "You can access the document through the cloud storage link."
Cultural Context
The term 'document' has been in use since the 14th century, derived from the Latin 'documentum' meaning 'lesson' or 'proof'. Over time, its meaning expanded to include any written or recorded information. In modern usage, it encompasses both physical and digital forms of records, such as legal documents, reports, and digital files.
The Mystery of the Lost Document
Story
The Mystery of the Lost Document
Sophia sat at her cluttered desk, staring at the empty folder in front of her. She had been given the responsibility of organizing her company's most important document—the one that detailed their merger with a competitor. The document was missing, and without it, her team couldn't finalize the deal. Panicking, she recalled the last time she saw it. It was in her boss’s office, printed and carefully stored in a binder. But when she went to check, it was gone. It wasn’t just any document—it was the key to their entire business future. Sophia grabbed her phone and called Ben, the office assistant. ‘Ben, do you have the document I gave you last week?’ she asked, trying to sound calm. ‘What document?’ Ben replied, a bit confused. ‘The one about the merger!’ Sophia snapped, now feeling the pressure. ‘I don’t know what you're talking about,’ Ben said, adding, ‘I don’t have anything that important on my desk.’ With no other choice, Sophia decided to document the situation for future reference. She grabbed her laptop and began typing an email to her boss, explaining that the critical document was missing. As she typed, she realized she needed to document the sequence of events leading up to the loss: the meeting with the CEO, the file transfers, and the office protocol. She didn't want to be held responsible for a missing document that was, quite frankly, beyond her control. After an hour of frantic searching through every drawer, the document was found tucked under a stack of papers in a conference room. It had been overlooked during a busy day of meetings. With a sigh of relief, Sophia returned to her desk and sent an email to her boss. 'The document has been found,' she wrote. 'I have also documented the steps we took to recover it, just in case.' The mystery of the lost document was solved, and Sophia learned the importance of keeping detailed records—both for herself and for her company’s future.
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