testament

noun

tes·​ta·​ment ˈte-stə-mənt 

1

a

: a tangible proof or tribute

b

: an expression of conviction : creed

2

a

: an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death

b

: will

3

a

capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible

b

archaic : a covenant between God and the human race

testamentary

ˌte-stə-ˈmen-tə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

adjective

Synonyms

• attestation
• confirmation
• corroboration
• documentation
• evidence
• proof
• substantiation
• testimonial
• testimony
• validation
• voucher
• witness

Examples of testament in a Sentence

The success of the album, which is only available online, is a testament to the power of the Internet.

a person's last will and testament

Recent Examples on the Web

Her story is a testament to the power of strategic financial management and the importance of staying true to your creative vision. —Amy Northard, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

This event was a testament to her determination to build a supportive community and drive change in a field that desperately needs more diversity. —Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 17 Sep. 2024

From being pregnant and married at 15, through the middle of the Watts Rebellion of 1965, to emerging as a groundbreaking newspaper publisher, Regina is a testament to the American experience. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2024

With people of color like Colón-Zayas and Morris taking home top honors, the night was a testament to the industry’s progress in recognizing diverse voices on screen. —Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testamentum covenant with God, holy scripture, from Latin, last will, from testari to be a witness, call to witness, make a will, from testis witness; akin to Latin tres three & to Latin stare to stand; from the witness's standing by as a third party in a litigation — more at three, stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Kids Definition

testament

noun

tes·​ta·​ment ˈtes-tə-mənt 

1

capitalized : either of the two chief parts of the Bible

2

a

: actual proof : evidence

the result is testament to her hard work

b

: an expression of belief : creed

3

: the legal instructions for the distribution of a person's belongings after death : will

testamentary

ˌtes-tə-ˈment-ə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

adjective

Legal Definition

testament

noun

tes·​ta·​ment ˈtes-tə-mənt 

1

: an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death

a testament of property

2

: will

Note: A testament was formerly concerned specifically with personal property, as in the phrase last will and testament. Now a will covers both personal and real property and the terms will and testament are generally synonymous, but the phrase lives on.

testamentary

ˌtes-tə-ˈmen-tə-rē 

adjective

Etymology

Latin testamentum, from testari to call as a witness, make a will, from testis witness