bear witness
Americanidiom
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to serve as evidence that something is true or real.
Not everyone’s sobriety can bear witness to the effectiveness of rehab, but in her case it most certainly can.
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to proclaim or demonstrate a devout belief in.
Who will join me in bearing witness to our Lord?
-
to testify; give or afford evidence, as in a court of law.
When the case went to trial, he reluctantly agreed to bear witness against his neighbor.
Etymology
Origin of bear witness
First recorded in 1300–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“They are coming to Congress because we have the responsibility to not only bear witness to these crimes, but to do something to make sure they don’t happen again.”
From Los Angeles Times
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, said he understood the risk of people trying to bear witness and document the actions of federal agents.
From BBC
As a lifelong Altadenan, Swayne regularly bears witness to the unimaginable devastation across his community, and understands how painful the loss of homes, businesses, prized possessions and family heirlooms can be.
From Los Angeles Times
As an immigrant himself, Rincon said he has attended protests to bear witness.
From Los Angeles Times
“How fitting that you should bear witness to this, the end of the reign of tyranny of mortal men over the World to Come.”
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
