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

His journey, initiated by a mentor’s advice in 2007, has been a testament to the power of persistence, client-centric service, and community involvement. —William Mullane, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Prepared Food Photos is a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets innovation. —Jon Stojan, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024

The fact that most infections don’t actually start with sources in the hospital is probably a testament to the efficacy of these protocols. —Chloe Bryson-Cahn, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024

Rolling millennials’ gleeful reception toward the seven-foot-tall ogre is nothing less than a testament to the indefatigability of the Shrek franchise itself. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024

Dapper Dan’s story remains a testament to the transformative power of authenticity and artistic mastery. —Devine Blacksher, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

The commemoration event in Kigali will also be a testament to the power of Mr. Kagame, whose governing Rwandan Patriotic Front party ended the genocide. —Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024

With stunning big band orchestration and arrangements, Bailar is a testament to the Latin flavor and star power of Tito Puente’s goddaughter, who rose to fame in the early ’80s as Prince’s percussionist. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Bennett says the fact that the crane is in the news again is a testament to the technical complexity of that early intelligence operation. —Kathryn Fink, NPR, 5 Apr. 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 determination and 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