testimony
noun
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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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Synonyms & Antonyms for testimony
Synonyms
attestation, confirmation, corroboration, documentation, evidence, proof, substantiation, testament, testimonial, validation, voucher, witness
Antonyms
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Examples of testimony in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In testimony before the council, Thompson had argued the plastic foam ban wouldn’t help the environment because people still would litter other products. — Lorraine Mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "More eateries, businesses do away with plastic straws," 13 July 2018 Neither Constand nor her family members have decided whether to take advantage of their right to give victim impact statements, either in court testimony at Cosby’s sentencing or through submitted written statements, her attorney says. — Jeff Truesdell, PEOPLE.com, "Bill Cosby Turns 81 Today — as Possible 30-Year Sentence Looms After Sex Assault Conviction," 12 July 2018 In a blistering decision, a King County judge on Tuesday found no merit to allegations that a Seattle police officer perjured himself in testimony about last year’s fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles. — Steve Miletich, The Seattle Times, "Judge calls perjury allegations against officer in Charleena Lyles lawsuit ‘baseless’," 26 June 2018 According to testimony submitted to the foundation authorities in Bern by a former Monetas employee, the company had been on the verge of receivership since the previous spring, before the Tezos ICO. — Gideon Lewis-kraus, WIRED, "The Blockchain: A Love Story—And a Horror Story," 18 June 2018 After taking testimony from witnesses, detectives with the Rosemont Police Department were able to identify and arrest 33-year-old Joseph Czeck, the alleged driver of the vehicle, on Wednesday. — Jessica Spitz /, NBC News, "Mother and daughter killed after boulder falls off back of truck in Minnesota," 13 July 2018 In this latest case, a St. Louis jury sat for weeks and heard testimonies from cancer survivors and family members of six women who died from ovarian cancer. — refinery29.com, "Johnson & Johnson Owes $4.69 Billion In Another Ovarian Cancer Case," 13 July 2018 Syed was granted a post-conviction hearing in February 2016, after a hearing that included testimony from McClain Chapman. — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland's highest court to weigh in on Syed case," 12 July 2018 The reporters contended they were framed by police, a claim that was supported by testimony from a whistleblower in the police department, Moe Yan Naing. — Frank Miles, Fox News, "Burma court rules Reuters reporters can face full trial; Haley decries decision," 10 July 2018These 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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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
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Kids Definition of testimony
: a statement made by a witness under oath especially in a court
testimony
noun
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Legal Definition of testimony
: evidence furnished by a witness under oath or affirmation and either orally or in an affidavit or deposition
: 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.
: 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.
: 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.
: testimony that presents an affirmative declaration of fact and is based on the personal knowledge of the testifier
: testimony concerning a person's reputation among associates or in the community
Other Words from testimony
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adjective
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