testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈte-stə-ˌfī 
testified; testifying
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
2
: to declare under oath before a tribunal or officially constituted public body
3
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
Another former girlfriend of Combs testified under the pseudonym Jane in court.
—
July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Of those, at least five have been requested to testify for the defense.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
Accounts of what unfolded that night in Moscow have emerged from two of the surviving roommates, who were both expected to testify at trial.
—Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Trump renewed his attacks against Powell after the central bank leader testified before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday, reiterating the Fed’s wait-and-see approach to hold interest rates until the impacts of tariffs on the economy become clearer.
—Brian Evans,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for testify
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July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Of those, at least five have been requested to testify for the defense.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
Accounts of what unfolded that night in Moscow have emerged from two of the surviving roommates, who were both expected to testify at trial.
—Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Trump renewed his attacks against Powell after the central bank leader testified before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday, reiterating the Fed’s wait-and-see approach to hold interest rates until the impacts of tariffs on the economy become clearer.
—Brian Evans,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for testify
Cite this Entry
“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈtes-tə-ˌfī
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
Legal Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈtes-tə-ˌfī
testified; testifying
: to make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation for the purpose of establishing a fact : give testimony
: to declare in testimony
testifier
noun
Etymology
Latin testificari, from testis witness
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