What does indorsation mean?
Indorsation is a noun meaning an endorsement, especially the act of approving, supporting, or formally authorizing someone or something. In legal and financial contexts, it can also refer more specifically to writing a signature or payment instruction on the back of a check, bill, or other negotiable document. The word carries a formal, approving tone rather than the neutral quality of mere agreement. Indorsation is now uncommon in ordinary prose: “endorsement” is the standard modern form for most purposes, while “indorsation” survives especially in legal, financial, and historical material. Because the two forms can overlap in both meaning and usage, writers should follow the spelling appropriate to the context and the authorities they are consulting. Even so, indorsation remains useful for recognizing older documents and for understanding the long history of signing names on the backs of financial instruments.
nounAn endorsement or the act of formally approving, supporting, or authorizing someone or something. In legal and financial contexts, it can refer specifically to signing the back of a check, bill, or other negotiable document to direct its payment or transfer.
- The formal approval, recommendation, or authorization of a person, proposal, or action.
- The act of writing a signature, name, or payment instruction on the back of a check, bill, or other negotiable document.
"Payment was authorized by the indorsation of the cheque to the company's account."
"The publication's indorsation of the proposed standards gave the campaign valuable credibility."
"The bank released the funds after receiving the indorsation of the cheque."
The plural is used for separate acts, instances, or expressions of approval or written authorization.
"The document contained several indorsations made by successive owners."
Indorsation wears an “i” while endorsement wears an “e”—a tiny spelling wrinkle in an otherwise familiar word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indorsation come from?
Indorsation was formed in English from indorse and the suffix -ation. Indorse came through French from Latin indorsus, a past participle based on indorsere, formed from in-, meaning “on,” and dorsum, meaning “back.” The underlying sense reflects the original practice of writing a name or statement on the back of a document.
How indorsation is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon noun. Modern usage usually prefers “endorsement,” especially outside legal, financial, and historical contexts.
Easily confused with indorsation
Indorsation is a less common spelling of endorsement; the two forms can have the same meanings, so spelling is their principal distinction.