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?
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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 difficult because a language is being compelled to testify, and because a poet is asking who can bear witness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
Effectively, I was the first to bear witness to the obviously caring burial of someone's child that occurred over 11,000 years ago.
From Science Daily ● May 20, 2026
"Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor. I had a chance to bear witness, and I witnessed the best of America," he said.
From Barron's ● Mar. 31, 2026
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 ● Jan. 24, 2026
Hundreds had come to the castle gates to bear witness to the burning of the Seven.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
