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
And the same right-leaning lobbying group, the Foundation for Government Accountability, testified in favor of these measures in Arizona, Indiana, and Missouri.
—
Samantha Liss, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
In his argument, Bertocchi said witnesses at trial testified ComEd was not interested in listing subcontractor payments in records and the defendants should not have been convicted of falsifying records by simply omitting them.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Slightly less than 100 witnesses are expected to testify, including family members, people close to the former player, medical professionals and police officers.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Her body was found wrapped in a blanket, her face battered and bloated from early decomposition, forensic analysts testified.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for testify
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Samantha Liss, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
In his argument, Bertocchi said witnesses at trial testified ComEd was not interested in listing subcontractor payments in records and the defendants should not have been convicted of falsifying records by simply omitting them.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Slightly less than 100 witnesses are expected to testify, including family members, people close to the former player, medical professionals and police officers.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Her body was found wrapped in a blanket, her face battered and bloated from early decomposition, forensic analysts testified.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for testify
Cite this Entry
“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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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