Definition

Noun: 1. A certificate stating that a ship's crew and passengers are free from infectious disease: Historically, this was an official document issued by port authorities to a departing ship, confirming the health status of those on board. It was required to be presented upon arrival at the next port. 2. A report or statement about the condition or state of something: In modern figurative use, it refers to an official declaration or assessment concerning the soundness, safety, or good condition of a person, organization, system, or situation.

Examples

• Historical/Literal:

  • The clipper ship could not leave quarantine until it received a clean bill of health from the harbor master.
  • Presenting a bill of health was mandatory to prevent the spread of plague between ports.

• Modern/Figurative:

  • The inspector gave the old building a clean bill of health after the renovations.
  • The company's financial audit resulted in a less-than-favorable bill of health.
  • After a thorough medical check-up, the doctor gave him a clean bill of health.

Advanced Usage

• "To give a clean bill of health": This is the most common modern usage. It means to officially declare that someone or something is in good condition, functioning properly, or free from problems.
  • The cybersecurity firm gave the network a clean bill of health.
• "To receive a clean bill of health": To be declared in good condition by an authority.
  • The project received a clean bill of health from the review committee.

Variants and Related Words

• Health certificate (n): A more general modern term for a document attesting to a person's or animal's health status, often for travel or work.
  • You need a health certificate for your pet to fly internationally.

Synonyms

• Clearance: Official authorization or certification.
• Certification: The action of providing an official document attesting to a status or fact.
• All-clear: A signal that danger has passed or that something is safe.
• Report: A detailed account or statement about a situation.

Idioms and Phrases

• Clean bill of health: An idiom meaning a declaration that a person or thing is in satisfactory condition.
  • The mechanic gave my car a clean bill of health.
• Clean bill of health is almost always used in the idiomatic phrase "a clean bill of health." The opposite is expressed with adjectives like "bad," "poor," or "questionable."
  • The restaurant did not get a clean bill of health from the health department. (Implies it received a bad report.)

Noun

1. a certificate saying that a departing ship's company is healthy (to be presented at the next port of arrival)