testimony

[tes-tuh-moh-nee, -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

• pretestimony noun
• retestimony noun

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

As he was transported for interrogation, according to testimony Mohammed gave to a lawyer from Defense for Children International-Palestine, a children’s rights organization, soldiers beat him with their rifle butts.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They heard testimony of unpredictable behaviour from intoxicated patients, with staff also regularly experiencing violence and harassment from bystanders.

Read more on BBC

Both Mead and Taylor denied in their testimony that they had any recollection of finding or seeing any baggies full of pills.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The testimony came as part of a lawsuit brought by journalists and protesters over the use of force by agents from Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the Chicago area.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The bronze memorial depicts a twisted letter, made out of a series of words, drawn from the testimonies of personnel affected by the ban.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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