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
Officer Aicha still tries to move forward with the case, asking if Cecilie’s son, Viggo, could testify against Oscar, but Cecilie refuses to put her son in that situation.
—
Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 16 May 2025
Also on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy testified at a House Appropriations Committee hearing and faced multiple questions regarding outages at Newark.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 15 May 2025
The 38-year-old singer, model, and actress — who is currently pregnant with her third child — testified that the payout was made directly by Combs, 55, and his affiliated companies.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2025
However, witnesses – including Caroline Owens – testified that Rose directly participated in the abuse and violence.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for testify
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.
Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 16 May 2025
Also on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy testified at a House Appropriations Committee hearing and faced multiple questions regarding outages at Newark.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 15 May 2025
The 38-year-old singer, model, and actress — who is currently pregnant with her third child — testified that the payout was made directly by Combs, 55, and his affiliated companies.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2025
However, witnesses – including Caroline Owens – testified that Rose directly participated in the abuse and violence.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 15 May 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 21 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share