testament
noun
testament
American
[tes-tuh-muhnt]
/ ˈtɛs tə mənt /
noun
testaments
plural
-
Law.
-
either of the two major portions of the Bible: the Mosaic or old covenant or dispensation, or the Christian or new covenant or dispensation.
-
(initial capital letter) the New Testament, as distinct from the Old Testament.
-
(initial capital letter) a copy of the New Testament.
-
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 )
-
a proof, attestation, or tribute
his success was a testament to his skills
-
-
a covenant instituted between God and man, esp the covenant of Moses or that instituted by Christ
-
a copy of either the Old or the New Testament, or of the complete Bible
-
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
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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.
While one could read this as a testament to everlasting love, I find it most moving as a bit of well-earned gratification.
From Salon • Jul. 8, 2026
I cannot think of a more remarkable testament to how far this country has traveled.
From Slate • Jul. 2, 2026
Your last will and testament may cause resentment.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026
“This might be a record here,” Hathaway tells the crowd near the end of the song, and so it was — a document of adaptation, a testament to borrowing, a bulwark against pretty fictions.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026
And the surest testament to the magnificent and horrifying level of my virtuosity was that neither had I. When I got to the flat Jack was waiting inside.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
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.
