tes·ti·fy | \ ˈte-stə-ˌfī 
\
\testified; testifying
Definition of testify
1 : to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact (as in a court)
2a : 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
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Other Words from testify
testifier \ ˈte-stə-ˌfī(-ə)r \ noun
\ 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web In the Guardado case, Deputy Miguel Vega did not appear to testify at the November 30 inquest -- ordered by the county coroner -- and is out of the country until the middle of December.
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Sarah Moon And Cheri Mossburg, CNN, "Two LA County sheriff's deputies involved in the fatal shooting of Andres Guardado relieved of duties following unrelated investigation," 12 Dec. 2020 Sandra Hunt to testify regarding the gang’s structure.
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Jess Bravin, WSJ, "U.S. Carries Out Second of Six Executions Set During Biden Transition," 11 Dec. 2020 Gross and Schwartz will not testify until they have been tested for the coronavirus and have completed quarantine.
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Laurence Darmiento Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Bill Gross seeks to end dispute over lawn sculpture. His neighbor is having none of it," 7 Dec. 2020 Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and an attorney with President Donald Trump's campaign, will testify Wednesday evening before a Michigan legislative committee.
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Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, "Watch live: Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani testifies at Michigan legislative hearing," 2 Dec. 2020 Members of the public will testify on legislation virtually.
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Chris Sikich, The Indianapolis Star, "Amid surging coronavirus, lawmakers reconvene, refuse to require masks," 17 Nov. 2020 Noel did testify that Cram advised him to seek the stalking order, but the judge struck his claim as hearsay.
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Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Ex-lawmaker Mike Noel gains stalking injunction against critic, who sees it as a gag order," 15 Nov. 2020 Later this month, a British doctor who conducted a second autopsy will also testify remotely.
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Eileen Ng, Star Tribune, "Dad: Teen, found dead in Malaysia, couldn't survive jungle," 12 Nov. 2020 Assistant Chiefs Hayward Finks and Alice Fulk testify that Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. pressured the police department to swiftly investigate and fire Starks following the shooting.
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Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, "Humphrey sought files on staffers' meetings," 31 Oct. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'testify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for testify
testify
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of testify
: to talk and answer questions about something especially in a court of law while formally promising that what you are saying is true
: to talk about or say (something) in an honest and confident way
: to show that something is true or real : to give proof of something
See the full definition for testify in the English Language Learners Dictionary
testify
verbtes·ti·fy | \ ˈte-stə-ˌfī \
\testified; testifying
Kids Definition of testify
: to make a formal statement of something sworn to be true
Two witnesses testified in court.
testify
verbtes·ti·fy | \ ˈtes-tə-ˌfī \
\testified; testifying
Legal Definition of testify
: to make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation for the purpose of establishing a fact : give testimony
: to declare in testimony
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Comments on testify
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Time Traveler for testify
The first known use of testify was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century