testament
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
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.
See Examples For:
It is also a testament to the democratizing power of the camera: Is there another invention that has enabled people from all walks of life to realize their artistic visions on such a scale?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
"This is Google's largest single investment in Europe and a testament to Finland's leadership in responsibly building AI infrastructure," the company said on Wednesday.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
“Just the fact that I’m able to create something like this is a testament to it.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026
"You see American Muslims in every single walk of life, almost at every single level, and that's a testament to the vibrancy of the community."
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
Mess Night was a testament of linkage, an evening that allowed for the lyrics of both form and ferocity.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
“The New Testament is focused on the little guy,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
How many malodorously toxic episodes does that make toward the seven plagues in the Old Testament?
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Senate in Texas on a platform The New Yorker recently described as basically the New Testament.
From Salon ● Jun. 14, 2026
Testament to this are the Japanese golden disk and 1982 Canadian tour jacket that are featured at the museum.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
He memorized them too, especially the ones that dealt with the prophets in the Old Testament.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
The levels of spectacle and attendance were testaments not just to the growth of Space Force but also PBR itself.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
When “Dude, Where’s My Car?” or “Pineapple Express” pushes the insanity to its limit, the films feel like testaments to close friendship.
From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2026
Their aesthetic qualities come at a significant cost, but they stand as testaments to an artistic genius.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
Borglum believed the American political system was the apotheosis of human civilization, and he wanted his sculpture to stand alongside the Parthenon and pyramids as testaments to grand civilizations and cultures.
From Slate ● Mar. 13, 2025
Augustus received by the testaments of his friends $161,458,330.
From Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life by T. L. (Thomas Louis) Haines
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.
