testimony

[tes-tuh-moh-nee, -muh-nee]

noun

plural

testimonies 

1. Law.,  the statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation, usually in court.

   Synonyms: attestation, deposition

2. evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof.

   Synonyms: corroboration

3. open declaration or profession, as of faith.

   Synonyms: affirmation

4. Usually testimonies. the precepts of God.

5. the Decalogue as inscribed on the two tablets of the law, or the ark in which the tablets were kept. Exodus 16:34; 25:16.

6. Archaic.,  a declaration of disapproval; protest.

testimony

/ ˈtɛstɪmənɪ /

noun

1. a declaration of truth or fact

2. law evidence given by a witness, esp orally in court under oath or affirmation

3. evidence testifying to something

   her success was a testimony to her good luck

4. Old Testament

   1. the Ten Commandments, as inscribed on the two stone tables

   2. the Ark of the Covenant as the receptacle of these (Exodus 25:16; 16:34)

Other Word Forms

• pretestimony noun
• retestimony noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of testimony¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin testimōnium, equivalent to testi(s) “witness” + -mōnium noun suffix; -mony

Word History and Origins

Origin of testimony¹

C15: from Latin testimōnium, from testis witness

Synonym Study

See evidence.

Example Sentences

The trial, which opened on June 1, has heard months of testimony alleging Hasina's role in ordering or failing to prevent mass killings.

Read more on Barron's

The trial, which opened on June 1, has heard months of testimony alleging Hasina's role in ordering or failing to prevent mass killings.

Read more on Barron's

Witness testimony began Wednesday with an accusation of negligent supervision in the high stakes trial against the Angels by the family of deceased pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This trial also included deposition testimony from Dr Steve Mann, former director of toxicology at J&J consumer products, who said he had made safety claims without reviewing any test data.

Read more on BBC

Sun's testimony is a rare insight into the internal workings of the centres, as he was sold on between several when bosses realised that a slight physical disability limited his usefulness.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• affidavit 
• data 
• demonstration 
• deposition 
• documentation 
• evidence 
• information 
• statement 
• testament 
• witness