Definition of witness
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
5a
: 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
witness
verb
witnessed; witnessing; witnesses
Definition of witness (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to testify to : attest
2
: to act as legal witness of
3
: to furnish proof of : betoken
4a
: 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)
1
: to bear witness : testify
2
: to bear witness to one's religious convictions
opportunity to witness for Christ— Billy Graham
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for witness
The first known use of witness was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century