testify

verb

tes·​ti·​fy ˈte-stə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
testified; testifying

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
a
: to bear witness to : attest
b
: to serve as evidence of : prove
2
: to declare under oath before a tribunal or officially constituted public body
3
archaic
a
: to make known (a personal conviction)
b
: to give evidence of : show
testifier noun

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 woman Britt referenced testified before Congress about being forced to work in Mexican brothels from 2004 to 2008, when George W. Bush was in the White House and Biden was still a senator. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 To date, there is no indication that James Crumbley will testify, as his wife did in her trial. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 The report’s findings relied heavily on testimony from a series of public hearings, many of which involved witnesses testifying under oath. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Baker had cried during the hearing, perhaps when Monica's daughters testified. Greg Fisher, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 But in February, when a Senate amendment removed the IHRA definition, Jewish groups testified that the bill no longer provided adequate protections against antisemitism. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Some crew members who testified against Gutierrez Reed also faulted Baldwin for failing to adhere to safety rules. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The subpoenas request each of the Republicans testify before the grand jury about their involvement in the elector plan. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Josh Dawsey The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Heather Jarrell, the state’s medical investigator, testified that the bullet punctured Hutchins’ right lung — a lethal wound — and went through her spinal cord. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024

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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testifien, from Anglo-French testifier, from Latin testificari, from testis witness

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of testify was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

testify

verb
tes·​ti·​fy ˈtes-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
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
testifier noun

Legal Definition

testify

verb
tes·​ti·​fy ˈtes-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
testified; testifying

intransitive verb

: to make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation for the purpose of establishing a fact : give testimony

transitive verb

: to declare in testimony
testifier noun
Etymology

Latin testificari, from testis witness

More from Merriam-Webster on testify

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