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 their property after death

b

: will

3

a

Testament : 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 of testament

• evidence
• proof
• testimony
• documentation
• testimonial

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

That is a testament to the Timberwolves’ training staff and their players’ willingness and ability to suit up each night. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2026

The walls of his office are a testament to what has been transformative in Brooks’ life. —Cheryl Hall, Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026

The Marshall Tucker Band rocked The Guild in Menlo Park hard for 90 minutes on Friday night, turning in a 14-song performance that was an absolute testament to both the lasting greatness of this South Carolina troupe and the power of Southern rock. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026

The film casts their lives as a testament to the power of science and paints discovery as the ultimate act of self-discovery. —Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026

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