testimony

noun tes·ti·mo·ny \ ˈtes-tə-ˌmō-nē \

Definition of testimony

plural testimonies

1 a :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

2 a :an open acknowledgment

b :a public profession of religious experience

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

(2) :the ark containing the tablets

b :a divine decree attested in the Scriptures

See testimony defined for English-language learners

See testimony defined for kids

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 of testimony from the Web

The city appealed the verdict, citing Judge Robin Wilson’s decision to prohibit the women’s testimony and other reasons.

— dave collins, The Seattle Times, "Court overturns $190K verdict won by acquitted officer," 30 Aug. 2017
Only two men, John Mitchell and Philip Weigel, were convicted and sentenced to hanging, unfortunate enough to have eyewitness testimony place them at Neville’s house.

— carrie hagen, Smithsonian, "The First Presidential Pardon Pitted Alexander Hamilton Against George Washington," 29 Aug. 2017
The NCAA has nearly no little power to extract testimony from athletes who are no longer eligible to compete at the college level.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Former Louisville basketball players who didn't talk to NCAA can't complain | Tim Sullivan," 28 Aug. 2017
In another nugget of news likely to be overlooked Friday, NBC News reported that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has compelled testimony from associates of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Commander in Chaos," 25 Aug. 2017
Ryden said prosecutors suspect the jury did not find the testimony of the state's key witness credible enough for a murder conviction.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Charges dropped in 2016 Aberdeen double homicide," 25 Aug. 2017
Friday, NBC News reported that the ex-FBI head and special counsel had issued subpoenas seeking testimony from multiple public relations executives tied to ex-Trump campaign head Paul Manafort.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "New Mueller Subpoenas Put Manafort in the Cross Hairs," 25 Aug. 2017
The jury began deliberating Wednesday night after hearing 13 days of testimony and closing arguments.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "Jury: Buncich guilty on all counts in sheriff corruption case," 24 Aug. 2017
Congressional testimony on Pakistan’s support of militants.

— nick wadhams, Bloomberg.com, "Pressuring Pakistan Seems Obvious But Isn’t Simple: QuickTake Q&A," 23 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of testimony

Middle English testimonie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testimonium Decalogue, from Latin, evidence, witness, from testis witness — more at testament

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

testimony Synonyms

Synonyms

attestation, confirmation, corroboration, documentation, evidence, substantiation, testament, testimonial, proof, validation, voucher, witness

Antonyms

disproof

Related Words

(the) goods; certificate, document, exhibit; demonstration, illustration; authentication, identification, manifestation, verification

Near Antonyms

rebuttal, refutation; accusation, allegation, charge; assumption, conjecture, guess, presumption, surmise, suspicion

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

TESTIMONY Defined for Kids

testimony

noun tes·ti·mo·ny \ ˈte-stə-ˌmō-nē \

Definition of testimony for Students

plural testimonies

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

Law Dictionary

testimony

noun tes·ti·mo·ny \ ˈtes-tə-ˌmō-nē \

legal Definition of testimony

plural testimonies

: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

—