Documents: meaning, definitions and examples

Use for general or official written or printed materials, especially those required for specific purposes like travel, legal matters, or business. Can be digital or physical.

• I need to submit these documents for the visa application
• Please upload your documents to the shared drive

Usually refers to smaller, often informal documents, such as letters, academic essays, or notes. Can have a very broad usage but tends to be less formal than 'documents'.

• She left some important papers on the desk
• Have you finished writing your research paper?

Primarily used for systematic logs or accounts of data, often kept for official, legal, or historical purposes. Implies thoroughness and accuracy.

• The hospital keeps detailed medical records of all patients
• The company’s records show a significant increase in sales this quarter

Commonly used for collections of related information stored on computers or in physical folders, often organized for easy access and management.

• I saved the report in the project files
• Can you share the company files with the new employee?

Used for referring to written or printed papers that provide information or evidence. Common in official, legal, or administrative contexts.

• Please review the documents before signing the contract.
• The documents were stored in a secure location.

Used for any type of information or evidence that has been preserved in a permanent form. Can refer to written, audio, or digital formats.

• The museum has an excellent record of ancient artifacts.
• We need to keep a record of all transactions.

Used when referring to a detailed and continuous account of events arranged in order of their occurrence. Often historical or journalistic.

• The book is a chronicle of the country's political history.
• She wrote a chronicle of her travels across Asia.

Used for presenting information in a structured format, often for a specific audience or purpose. Can be formal or informal, and commonly appears in business, journalism, and academics.

• The annual financial report was presented to the shareholders.
• The journalist's report on the earthquake was very detailed.