witness

noun wit·ness \ ˈwit-nəs \

Definition of witness

1 :attestation of a fact or event :testimony

2 :one that gives evidence; specifically :one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal

3 :one asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place

4 :one who has personal knowledge of something

5 a :something serving as evidence or proof :sign

b :public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction

the heroic witness to divine life
—Pilot

6 capitalized :a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses

See witness defined for English-language learners

See witness defined for kids

Examples of witness in a Sentence

The defense called its first witness to the stand.
a witness for the defense
His aunt and uncle were witnesses at his baptism.
There must be two witnesses present when she signs the document.

Recent Examples of witness from the Web

Based on statements from witnesses and family members, investigators at first thought Semaj had wandered off.

— alicia fabbre, chicagotribune.com, "Siblings of toddler found dead under couch to remain in protective custody," 30 Aug. 2017
Investigators are required to make audio or video recordings of statements from civilian witnesses, but not from officers who participated or who saw what happened.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
According to witnesses and video-surveillance footage, Carceres and Lucarelli arrived at Finney’s room around 3:30 p.m. and Carceres left 19 minutes later wearing different clothing, the charges say.

— sara jean green, The Seattle Times, "Man, woman charged in stabbing death at North Seattle motel," 29 Aug. 2017
Sodomy, if testified to by at least four separate witnesses, also carries the death sentence in Iran.

— thomas erdbrink, New York Times, "Iran Sentences Faith Healing Shiite Mystic to Death," 28 Aug. 2017
When McGregor finally steps into the ring with Mayweather, the audience will either be witnesses to greatness or mere revenue sources.

— nancy kidder, The Atlantic, "Four Ways of Looking at Mayweather vs. McGregor," 25 Aug. 2017
Sheriff's officials initially reviewed police reports, conducted witness interviews, and watched the video of the incident, but were unable to go any further without the interview, Smith said.

— gerald porter jr., Daily Southtown, "Teen pinned by Lansing cop to be interviewed by sheriff's office," 24 Aug. 2017
Witnesses described the vehicle as a blue passenger car, possibly an early-2000s model.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "Man hit in Boise crosswalk survives, driver remains wanted," 18 Aug. 2017
A witness told ABC News that the van plowed people down for about 1,000 feet before the driver fled.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Apparent Terrorist Attack Kills at Least 12 in Barcelona," 17 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of witness

Middle English witnesse, from Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from ²wit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

witness Synonyms

Synonyms

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

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

witness

verb

Definition of witness

transitive verb

1 :to testify to :attest

2 :to act as legal witness of

3 :to furnish proof of :betoken

4 a :to have personal or direct cognizance of :see for oneself

witnessed the historic event

b :to take note of

our grammar— witness our verb system—is a marvel of flexibility, variety, and exactitude
—Charlton Laird

5 :to constitute the scene or time of

structures … which this striking Dorset hilltop once witnessed
—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

1 :to bear witness :testify

2 :to bear witness to one's religious convictions

opportunity to witness for Christ
—Billy Graham

See witness defined for English-language learners

Examples of witness in a Sentence

Several people witnessed the accident.
We are witnessing a historic moment.
He witnessed the signing of her will.

Recent Examples of witness from the Web

However, there are also a new set of emerging cities which are witnessing a huge increase in solo bookings.

— olivia blair, House Beautiful, "The Top 10 Places to Visit on Your Own, According to Airbnb," 28 June 2017
Not until now – the first time – when you're invited to lose your PM room 'virginity' and witness the act in all its technicolour glory.

— Good Housekeeping, "This Is What It's Really Like Being a Mortician," 26 June 2017
This year, according to Rubin, about 400 people crowded in the Temple Torat Emet sanctuary to witness and share in the event.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Boynton's Torah Tots program readies pre-K students," 16 June 2017
The other [formative] experience was witnessing a space shuttle launch.

— martin edstrom, National Geographic, "How 9 National Geographic Explorers Got Their Start," 16 June 2017
Jacobs said nearby drivers who witnessed the incident reported seeing the vehicle parked in a nearby turnout.

— sara cardine, La Cañada Valley Sun, "Man plummets from Angeles Crest before witnesses’ eyes in apparent suicide," 8 June 2017
Miguel Johnson has witnessed firsthand the dramatic impact Donald Trump‘s presidency has had not just on his high school, but on the attitude of the entire town.

— mike miller, EW.com, "Julia Roberts stands behind student fighting for LGBTQ rights," 29 Apr. 2017
Finally, the strangers left the boys alone, but CJ witnessed a third adult male come out of the bathroom, get into a car with the others, and drive off.

— taysha murtaugh, Woman's Day, "This Mom Saved Her Kids From Being Abducted With One Important Lesson," 29 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of witness

14th century

witness Synonyms

Synonyms

attest, authenticate, avouch, testify (to), vouch (for), certify

Related Words

guarantee, warrant; affirm, assert, aver, avow, profess, vow

Near Antonyms

disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over; miss, overlook

Synonym Discussion of witness

certify, attest, witness, vouch mean to testify to the truth or genuineness of something. certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

- certified that the candidate had met all requirements

attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

- attested to the authenticity of the document

witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

- witnessed the signing of the will

vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

- willing to vouch for her integrity

WITNESS Defined for Kids

witness

noun wit·ness \ ˈwit-nəs \

Definition of witness for Students

1 :a person who sees or otherwise has personal knowledge of something

witnesses of an accident

2 :a person who gives testimony in court

3 :a person who is present at an action (as the signing of a will) so as to be able to say who did it

4 :testimony

He gave false witness in court.

witness

verb

Definition of witness for Students

witnessed; witnessing

1 :to see or gain personal knowledge of something

2 :to act as a witness to I witnessed the signing of the will.

3 :to be or give proof of

Their actions witness their guilt.

Law Dictionary

witness

noun wit·ness

legal Definition of witness

1 a :attestation of a fact or event

in witness whereof the parties have executed this release

b :evidence (as of the authenticity of a conveyance by deed) furnished by signature, oath, or seal

2 :one who gives evidence regarding matters of fact under inquiry; specifically :one who testifies or is legally qualified to testify in a case or to give evidence before a judicial tribunal or similar inquiry

a witness before a congressional committee

no person…shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself
—U.S. Constitution amend. V

— compare affiant, deponent

— adverse witness

:a witness who is called by or associated with an opposing party or who by statement, conduct, or other evidence (as of relationship) shows bias against or is injurious to the case of the party by whom the witness is called

sought to have his witness declared an adverse witness subject to impeachment

— called also hostile witness; see also leading question at question 1

— alibi witness

:a witness upon whom a criminal defendant relies in establishing an alibi

— character witness

:a witness who testifies as to the character or reputation especially of a criminal defendant :a witness who gives character evidence

— expert witness

:a witness (as a medical specialist) who by virtue of special knowledge, skill, training, or experience is qualified to provide testimony to aid the factfinder in matters that exceed the common knowledge of ordinary people

— hostile witness

:adverse witness in this entry

— lay witness

:a witness who is not an expert witness

— material witness

:a witness whose testimony is necessary for trial and whose presence may sometimes be secured by the state by subpoena, custody, or recognizance

— prosecuting witness

:a witness (as the victim of a crime) whose own allegations initiate the prosecution of the defendant

— qualified witness

:a witness who has sufficient understanding of a record-keeping system to provide testimony that forms the proper foundation for admission of evidence under the business records exception to the hearsay rule

— rebuttal witness

:a witness called upon to rebut evidence already presented

3 :one who is called on to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its occurrence; specifically :one who sees the execution of an instrument and signs it to confirm its authenticity

a witness to a will

4 :eyewitness

a witness to an assault

— bear witness

:to furnish or constitute proof or evidence

Origin and Etymology of witness

Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from wit mind, sense, knowledge

witness

transitive verb

legal Definition of witness

1 :to furnish evidence or proof of

2 :to act as witness of: as

a :to see the execution of (an instrument) and sign for the purpose of establishing authenticity

witness a will

b :to be formally present as a witness of (as a transaction or the execution of a convict)

3 a :to see or experience directly

b :to take note of

intransitive verb

:to bear witness :give evidence

witness

adjective

legal Definition of witness

:being an object or location used to ascertain a precise boundary point especially on a corner of a tract when marking that point itself is impracticable or impossible