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

Brown’s call to police and his testimony helped lead a jury to convict Buck of luring young, Black men into his West Hollywood apartment for nearly a decade for “party and play” sessions that involved sex and heavy drug use.

From Los Angeles Times

Student Joel Mata acknowledged that Perez’s recent behavior “is not to be dismissed,” but asked school board members to focus on students’ testimony of his character.

From Los Angeles Times

He appreciated the way the number distills a complex dramatic scene into lyrics, collapsing “past, present and future in a packaged song form” that records the witness testimony of those who had incomplete knowledge of the fateful treaty signing that will redirect not just the fate of a nation but the course of world history.

From Los Angeles Times

"The effects of that trauma came through later on in life," Tupua Urlich, a Māori survivor who had given his testimony of abuse to the inquiry, told the BBC's Newsday programme.

From BBC

Our picture emerges from the testimony of neighbours and relatives we spoke to, as well as what Victor was able to recall himself along with other first-hand accounts given to local media.

From BBC

Related Words

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