testimony
Americannoun
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Law. the statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation, usually in court.
- Synonyms:
- attestation, deposition
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evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof.
- Synonyms:
- corroboration
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open declaration or profession, as of faith.
- Synonyms:
- affirmation
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Usually testimonies. the precepts of God.
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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.
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Archaic. a declaration of disapproval; protest.
noun
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a declaration of truth or fact
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law evidence given by a witness, esp orally in court under oath or affirmation
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evidence testifying to something
her success was a testimony to her good luck
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Old Testament
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the Ten Commandments, as inscribed on the two stone tables
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the Ark of the Covenant as the receptacle of these (Exodus 25:16; 16:34)
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Synonym Usage
See evidence.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of testimony
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin testimōnium, equivalent to testi(s) “witness” + -mōnium noun suffix; see -mony
Explanation
When you give testimony you are telling what you saw or what you know. Your testimony that your hand was not in the cookie jar goes against the testimony of several eyewitnesses. The Latin root for testimony is testis, meaning “ witness.” “Eye witness testimony” is a phrase you will hear often in legal discussions. An object can also give testimony, without speaking of course: "The statue they built of you outside the bowling alley offers testimony to your greatness."
Vocabulary lists containing testimony
The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
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John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
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A Lesson Before Dying
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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.
Warsh’s confirmation testimony cut through the fog: inflation is not an act of God, a shipping-container mystery, or a Gulf headline.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026
The Tribune reviewed hundreds of pages of concept plans, lawsuits and reviewed hours of testimony from commissioners court meetings to piece together information about the projects.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
Alex described taking part in the documentary and drama as "sharing his testimony" in relation to how he felt about the initial investigation.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
In congressional testimony, the head of CBP, Brandon Lords, said about $85 billion in potential and certified refunds have been accepted by the agency’s refund portal, with about $20.6 billion paid as of May 22.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
A verdict of guilty in a capital case required a complete proof of guilt, for example the testimony of two witnesses who had seen the crime occur, or a confession.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
