testament
noun
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testament
American
[tes-tuh-muhnt]
/ ˈtɛs tə mənt /
noun
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Law.
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either of the two major portions of the Bible: the Mosaic or old covenant or dispensation, or the Christian or new covenant or dispensation.
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(initial capital letter) the New Testament, as distinct from the Old Testament.
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(initial capital letter) a copy of the New Testament.
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a covenant, especially between God and humans.
testament
1
British
/ ˈtɛstəmənt /
noun
-
law a will setting out the disposition of personal property (esp in the phrase last will and testament )
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a proof, attestation, or tribute
his success was a testament to his skills
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a covenant instituted between God and man, esp the covenant of Moses or that instituted by Christ
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a copy of either the Old or the New Testament, or of the complete Bible
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Testament
2
British
/ ˈtɛstəmənt /
noun
-
either of the two main parts of the Bible; the Old Testament or the New Testament
-
the New Testament as distinct from the Old
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of testament
1250–1300; Middle English: will, covenant < Latin testāmentum, equivalent to testā ( rī ) to bear witness ( see testate) + -mentum -ment
Explanation
A testament is a statement of belief. The most famous testaments are the two parts of the Christian Bible: the Old and New Testaments. A testament states a belief or gives some kind of direction. The document people leave behind at death is known as the "last will and testament." It gives lawyers directions for dividing their possessions among family and friends. Also, you could say that an A in math class is a testament to your math skills. If you give to charity, that’s a testament to your character. Any testament is a strong statement of some kind.
Vocabulary lists containing testament
Hamilton
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The Westing Game
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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.
If you miss a step or skip ahead, the final result might look a little off, but even what’s visible of the intended design is a testament to Riley’s dexterity.
From Salon • May 22, 2026
The capital’s rapid transit system, a testament to the value of good public design, is a work of Brutalist beauty and timeless civic dignity.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Dedicated to his childhood sweetheart Paola Pugliese, it's a testament to their 34-year marriage.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
“In a category that is down, I feel we’ve had some great success, and that’s a testament to our audience and the people who love us,” Jenner said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
It is a testament to our confraternity, however, that a curious ground of agreement was eventually reached: the necessity of concealing all mourning at the smallpox burials, and displaying only dancing and festival triumph.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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.
