testimony

noun

tes·​ti·​mo·​ny ˈte-stə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce testimony (audio)
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

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 Defense lawyers have accused the DA's office of misconduct in their push for a dismissal of the case, the limiting of key testimony, and a lengthier delay of the trial. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 25 Mar. 2024 A great deal of the media coverage of Cummings’s testimony focussed on his texting style. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 CenterPoint has until next month to file its rebuttal testimony. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Mar. 2024 Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s chief executive officer, tried to pretend that the company wasn’t Chinese—describing it instead as a global company headquartered in Singapore and Los Angeles—in his congressional testimony last year, a feeble dodge that undermined his credibility. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2024 The risk associated with informant testimony is real, according to data collected by The Innocence Project and the National Registry of Exonerations. The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024 Both witnesses subsequently testified under oath without any promises or protection, and they were given nothing for their testimony. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024 Their testimonies were prepared as evidence that was not allowed into the trial. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024 Though Simms had left Mudd’s farm by the time of the assassination, her testimony offered concrete evidence of his ties to Confederate agents. Vanessa Armstrong, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'testimony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

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

Dictionary Entries Near testimony

Cite this Entry

“Testimony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testimony. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

testimony

noun
tes·​ti·​mo·​ny ˈtes-tə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce testimony (audio)
plural testimonies
1
: firsthand evidence
according to the testimony of eyewitnesses
2
: a statement made by a witness under oath especially in a court
3
: a public declaration of religious experience

Legal Definition

testimony

noun
tes·​ti·​mo·​ny ˈtes-tə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce testimony (audio)
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
testimonial adjective
testimonially adverb
Etymology

Latin testimonium, from testis witness

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