testimony

American  

[tes-tuh-moh-nee, -muh-nee] / ˈtɛs təˌmoʊ ni, -mə ni /

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 British  

/ 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)

---

Related Words

See evidence.

Other Word Forms

• pretestimony
  noun
• retestimony
  noun

Etymology

Origin of testimony

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

Explanation

When you give testimony you are telling what you saw or what you know. Your testimony that your hand was not in the cookie jar goes against the testimony of several eyewitnesses. The Latin root for testimony is testis, meaning “ witness.” “Eye witness testimony” is a phrase you will hear often in legal discussions. An object can also give testimony, without speaking of course: "The statue they built of you outside the bowling alley offers testimony to your greatness."

Example Sentences

It reached this conclusion in a 268-page opinion after holding an 11-day trial, considering testimony from 51 witnesses, and evaluating 790 exhibits.

From Slate • May 12, 2026

"At the time of testimony... it was $25 billion," Hurst told lawmakers, referring to Hegseth's April 29 estimate.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

But most of his testimony Monday related to his previous relationship with Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and wife of renowned surgeon Peter Grossman.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Prior to Macklem’s testimony, the central bank released research outlining how Canada’s position in global maritime trade has deteriorated.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Blacks and whites alike scratched their heads at Grabarek’s abstruse testimony, but it was clear the mayor was no friend of Fuller.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

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