eyewitness

[ noun ahy-wit-nis, ahy-wit-nis; verb ahy-wit-nis ]

noun

1. a person who actually sees some act, occurrence, or thing and can give a firsthand account of it:

   There were two eyewitnesses to the murder.

verb (used with object)

1. to view with one's own eyes:

   to eyewitness a murder.

eyewitness

/ ˈaɪˌwɪtnɪs /

noun

1. 1. a person present at an event who can describe what happened
   2. ( as modifier )

      an eyewitness account

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyewitness¹

First recorded in 1530–40; eye + witness

Example Sentences

An eyewitness, Mr Chen, told Chinese news magazine Caixin that at least six groups of people had gathered at the stadium for their regular walks when the incident happened.

From BBC

Video footage shared with BBC News by eyewitnesses shows people covered in volcanic ash, rock showers and homes ablaze, as well as the scorched aftermath of the disruption.

From BBC

I am forced to use conditional tenses because I am writing this in Jerusalem, not after interviewing eyewitnesses at the scene of the attack in Jabalia in Gaza.

From BBC

To fill the gap, scientists lean on official government reports, eyewitness accounts and press reports.

From Salon

Police have also seized the star's laptop and phone, which could provide evidence, and eyewitness reports could help establish what led to his death.

From BBC

Related Words

• bystander
• observer
• witness