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

Personal testimony from all sides fuel a five-part look on PBS by director James Bluemel at Northern Ireland over 30 years of political and sectarian violence.

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

Israel does not allow the BBC and other international media into Gaza to report independently, making it difficult to verify facts on the ground, so we often rely on information from footage and witness testimonies.

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

He met with prosecutors more than two dozen times and provided crucial testimony at four separate trials, his attorney said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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