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

A key witness in that case offered testimony that experts concluded was false.

From ProPublica

Some questioned why patients with mental health conditions so rarely receive discounted passes despite testimony from their doctors.

From Voice of San Diego

In his testimony, he noted that models he’d studied assumed a person’s race incorrectly 25% of the time.

From MIT Technology Review

USPS declined to comment and referred Fortune to DeJoy’s testimony.

From Fortune

The decision came after about two hours of contentious testimony in a virtual public hearing on August 18.

From Science News

When do we stop and start believing Jay, the person whose testimony upon which the state of Maryland relies?

From The Daily Beast

According to court testimony by the lead NCIS investigator, it contained various mobile phones and even valuable letters.

From The Daily Beast

Who even needs a court of law, let alone victim testimony, now that we have the hashtag?

From The Daily Beast

The jury met in secret for months gathering testimony from witnesses, including from Pantaleo.

From The Daily Beast

All of their testimony has been accepted by the court, and most of it casts blame squarely on their captain.

From The Daily Beast

All parties have borne testimony to the value of his services, and the eminence of his talents.

From Project Gutenberg

On this point, I have the testimony of eye-witnesses of diverse sentiments and of unimpeachable character.

From Project Gutenberg

The Washington manual laborer school and the Howard institution can bear testimony to his industry and patriotism.

From Project Gutenberg

Wellington himself bore testimony to Soult's virtues, maintaining that of the Marshals he was second only to Massna.

From Project Gutenberg

Few knew—in fact maybe only one other, and that was her husband—or appreciated how much that false testimony had cost her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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