Belege

Belege is the plural form of the German noun Beleg, meaning a document that proves something or serves as evidence. The term is used in a range of contexts to refer to material that substantiates claims, transactions, or data. Its etymology traces to the verb belegen, meaning to prove or validate, with Beleg originally denoting a document that verifies a fact and can function as proof.

In accounting and administration, Belege are source documents such as invoices, receipts, delivery notes, and vouchers that support financial entries and statements. They provide evidence for transactions and are typically retained for audit and regulatory purposes. In business practice, both physical and digital Belege are processed and organized to maintain traceability and verifiability.

In research and academic contexts, Belege refer to evidence or data that support a hypothesis or conclusion. Belege in this sense can include experimental results, datasets, or cited sources, and the strength of conclusions often depends on the quality and availability of supporting Belege.

In everyday language, Belege encompass receipts for purchases, service confirmations, warranty documents, and other records that may be needed for returns, reimbursements, or legal rights. The term is polysemous and its exact meaning depends on context, ranging from tangible receipts to abstract evidence.

Related terms include Beleg (singular) and belegbar (provable). Across professional and ordinary settings, Belege underpin verification, accountability, and the organization of information.