testimony

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

noun

plural testimonies.

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 Word Forms

• 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

Hollander had ordered acting Commissioner Leland Dudek to appear for testimony, but the government has refused to allow him to appear.

From Los Angeles Times

This phase of the inquiry was to hear powerful individual testimonies from relatives who lost loved ones in the explosion.

From BBC

He is expected to continue his testimony on Tuesday.

From BBC

He noted that his most recent gig, at the Half Moon pub in Putney, west London, in February, had been a sell-out, which was "testimony to his superb talent".

From BBC

During three days of testimony, Doe said she “didn’t even feel human anymore. I felt like an animal,” Courthouse News reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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