testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈte-stə-ˌfī 
testified; testifying
1
: to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact (as in a court)
2
a
: to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief : bear witness
b
: to serve as evidence or proof
3
: to express a personal conviction
2
: to declare under oath before a tribunal or officially constituted public body
3
Examples of testify in a Sentence
She refused to testify about who had given her the information.
She testified before Congress today.
He agreed to testify against his drug dealer.
He testified that he'd seen two people leave the building on the night of the murder.
These statistics testify that the program is working.
Several people testified during the revival meeting.
Recent Examples on the Web
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Society and the Association of Indiana Municipalities were among those testifying against the bill.
—
John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024
Hunter's previous romantic partners were also summoned by prosecutors to testify about his drug usage and character.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 11 June 2024
Under the threat of subpoena, the company CEOs agreed to testify at a hearing on why companies charge more for medicines in the United States than abroad before the subpoena vote actually happened.
—Rachel Cohrs Zhang and Elaine Chen, STAT, 11 June 2024
The decision came after an associate planning to testify against the rapper entered protective custody following document leaks on blogs identified him as a witness.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for testify 
John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024
Hunter's previous romantic partners were also summoned by prosecutors to testify about his drug usage and character.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 11 June 2024
Under the threat of subpoena, the company CEOs agreed to testify at a hearing on why companies charge more for medicines in the United States than abroad before the subpoena vote actually happened.
—Rachel Cohrs Zhang and Elaine Chen, STAT, 11 June 2024
The decision came after an associate planning to testify against the rapper entered protective custody following document leaks on blogs identified him as a witness.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for testify
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'testify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈtes-tə-ˌfī
testified; testifying
1
a
: to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief
could testify to the student's devotion to her studies
b
: to make a formal statement of what one swears is true
testified in court
2
: to give outward proof : serve as a sign of
yawns testifying to fatigue
Legal Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈtes-tə-ˌfī
testified; testifying
: to make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation for the purpose of establishing a fact : give testimony
: to declare in testimony
testifier
noun
Etymology
Latin testificari, from testis witness
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