testimony

[ tes-tuh-moh-nee, or, especially British, -muh-nee ]

noun

, plural tes·ti·mo·nies.

1. Law. the statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation, usually in court.

   Synonyms: attestation, deposition

2. evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof.

   Synonyms: corroboration

3. open declaration or profession, as of faith.

   Synonyms: affirmation

4. Usually testimonies. the precepts of God.
5. the Decalogue as inscribed on the two tablets of the law, or the ark in which the tablets were kept. Exodus 16:34; 25:16.
6. Archaic. a declaration of disapproval; protest.

testimony

/ ˈtɛstɪmənɪ /

noun

1. a declaration of truth or fact
2. law evidence given by a witness, esp orally in court under oath or affirmation
3. evidence testifying to something

   her success was a testimony to her good luck

4. Old Testament
   1. the Ten Commandments, as inscribed on the two stone tables
   2. the Ark of the Covenant as the receptacle of these (Exodus 25:16; 16:34)

Other Words From

• pre·testi·mony noun plural pretestimonies
• re·testi·mony noun plural retestimonies

Word History and Origins

Origin of testimony¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin testimōnium, equivalent to testi(s) “witness” + -mōnium noun suffix; -mony

Word History and Origins

Origin of testimony¹

C15: from Latin testimōnium, from testis witness

Synonym Study

See evidence.

Example Sentences

The trial, which began on Friday, included testimony from more than a dozen law enforcement officers, Ms Riley's former roommate and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra.

From BBC

Al Fayed “had access to vulnerable young women from that school”, she said, adding that testimony she had heard suggested that Al Fayed’s “tentacles went far and wide”.

From BBC

The federal office said it had scrutinized medical records, testimony and interviews that “showcase how severely delayed Kira Johnson’s diagnosis and care was.”

From Los Angeles Times

The attorney representing both has been sharing reported details from their testimony and pressuring the House to release the report.

From Salon

Parlatore told CBS there was eyewitness testimony and video surveillance that the woman was sober and grabbed him by the arm to lead him upstairs.

From BBC

Related Words

• affidavit
• data
• demonstration
• deposition
• documentation
• evidence
• information
• statement
• testament
• witness