▸ verb [with object] check or prove the validity or accuracy of (something):
these estimates have been validated by periodic surveys.
▪ demonstrate or support the truth or value of:
in a healthy family a child's feelings are validated.
▪ make or declare legally valid:
a wide range of professional bodies validate courses leading to these awards.
▪ recognize or affirm the validity or worth of (a person or their feelings or opinions); cause (a person) to feel valued or worthwhile:
without Patti to validate my feelings, they seemed not to exist
he seems to need other women's attention to validate him as a man.
– ORIGIN mid 17th century (in the sense ‘make legally valid’): from medieval Latin validat- ‘made legally valid’, from the verb validare, from Latin validus (see valid).