testimony

noun

tes·ti·mo·ny | \ ˈte-stə-ˌmō-nē

plural testimonies

Definition of testimony

1a : a solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized public official

b : firsthand authentication of a fact : evidence

c : an outward sign

2a : an open acknowledgment

b : a public profession of religious experience

3a(1) : the tablets inscribed with the Mosaic law

(2) : the ark containing the tablets

b : a divine decree attested in the Scriptures

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Examples of testimony in a Sentence

The jury heard 10 days of testimony. There were contradictions in her testimony. the personal testimonies of survivors of the war It is testimony to her courage and persistence that she worked for so long in the face of such adversity. The popularity of diet fads is a testimony to the fact that people want a quick fix for their health and weight problems.

Recent Examples on the Web

Near the beginning of the trial, Rittgers missed a day of testimony because of a heart issue, his son said. — Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, "Brooke Skylar Richardson trial: Not guilty on most serious charges. Lawyers don't expect any jail time.," 12 Sep. 2019 Colleen Dolan sat through every day of testimony during the Ghost Ship trial, immersed for three months in the horror surrounding her daughter’s death. — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, "After bruising Ghost Ship trial, attorneys, families brace for round 2," 6 Sep. 2019 Defense lawyers tried to convince Cramer to reinstate it, but the judge -- who made his decision after hearing two days of testimony from grieving families -- would not budge, the station reported. — Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, "Verdict reached in trial of two men in the 36 deaths in Oakland's Ghost Ship fire," 5 Sep. 2019 The vote was unanimous on the five-member board of commissioners and followed about five hours of testimony by dozens of residents, oil and gas workers, industry representatives and anti-fracking activists. — John Aguilar, The Denver Post, "Adams County tightens oil and gas rules, first to do so since Colorado Senate Bill 181 passed," 3 Sep. 2019 The transcript of that testimony was unearthed this February, fuelling outrage over Purdue’s role in America’s growing opioid epidemic. — The Economist, "Johnson & Johnson, Purdue and other opioid-peddlers face a reckoning," 29 Aug. 2019 The prosecution rested its case Thursday after two days of testimony. — NBC News, "Florida man found guilty in parking lot shooting of unarmed black man," 24 Aug. 2019 The day consisted of three witnesses and the reading of a testimony from the municipal trial in Saraland. — Lily Jackson | Ljackson@al.com, al, "Waffle House defense attorney: Prosecution using false fear factor," 22 Aug. 2019 On Thursday, commissioners listened to county residents give about an hour of testimony about white privilege. — oregonlive.com, "Oregon official objects to diversity training on white privilege, says it could be ‘shaming to Caucasians’," 16 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'testimony.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near testimony

testimonialize

testimonial of the great seal

Statistics for testimony

Last Updated

19 Sep 2019

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Time Traveler for testimony

The first known use of testimony was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for testimony

testimony

noun

English Language Learners Definition of testimony

: something that someone says especially in a court of law while formally promising to tell the truth

: proof or evidence that something exists or is true

See the full definition for testimony in the English Language Learners Dictionary

testimony

noun

tes·ti·mo·ny | \ ˈte-stə-ˌmō-nē

plural testimonies

Kids Definition of testimony

: a statement made by a witness under oath especially in a court

testimony

noun

tes·ti·mo·ny | \ ˈtes-tə-ˌmō-nē

plural testimonies

Legal Definition of testimony

: evidence furnished by a witness under oath or affirmation and either orally or in an affidavit or deposition

— former testimony

: testimony that a witness gives at a different proceeding (as another hearing or a deposition)

Note: Under Federal Rule of Evidence 804, former testimony is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule when the declarant is unavailable and if a predecessor in interest in a civil proceeding or the party against whom the testimony is offered had an opportunity and similar motive to develop the testimony.

— negative testimony

: testimony concerning what did not happen especially : testimony concerning what one did not perceive negative testimony that the witness did not hear a train whistle

Note: Negative testimony is sometimes accorded the same weight as positive testimony when the witness was in a position to perceive something and was eagerly attentive.

— opinion testimony

: testimony relaying opinion as opposed to direct knowledge of the facts at issue

Note: Opinion testimony may be allowed in evidence when it helps the factfinder understand or determine the facts at issue. Such testimony by a lay witness must be rationally based on his or her perception. A qualified expert witness may also give opinion testimony. The expert's opinion may be based on facts or data that he or she perceives directly or of which he or she is made aware other than by direct perception at or before trial.

— positive testimony

: testimony that presents an affirmative declaration of fact and is based on the personal knowledge of the testifier

— reputation testimony

: testimony concerning a person's reputation among associates or in the community