testament

noun

tes·​ta·​ment ˈte-stə-mənt How to pronounce testament (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 10 dead roaches were a testament to the efficacy of the tracking power pesticide. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 Consider that a testament to the movie itself, which, nearly a century on, endures for its seamless blend of gothic storytelling, immersive stagecraft, and subversive comedy. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 The ability to gossip effectively and with such precision is a testament to the mind’s sophistication—a feature, not a bug. Oriel Feldmanhall, Time, 6 Oct. 2025 All In Motion Fleece Half-Zip Pullover Sweatshirt Traveling in athleisure can still look elevated, and this pullover is a testament to that. Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for testament

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

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

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Cite this Entry

“Testament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testament. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

testament

noun
tes·​ta·​ment ˈtes-tə-mənt How to pronounce testament (audio)
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 adjective

Legal Definition

testament

noun
tes·​ta·​ment ˈtes-tə-mənt How to pronounce testament (audio)
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 adjective
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on testament

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