testimony

noun

tes·​ti·​mo·​ny ˈte-stə-ˌmō-nē 

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

Synonyms

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

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

In her 1971 testimony, Atkins claimed that the motivation for the Tate-LaBianca murder spree stemmed from Hinman’s death. —Emily Krauser, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025

The judge said video evidence and a state trooper’s own testimony contradicted the official police version of events. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2025

An initial federal court ruling in favor of the city of Elk Grove was overturned by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ordered a new trial, citing false testimony from Jason Tovar, the former chief forensic pathologist for Sacramento County. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025

In addition to Weaver’s testimony, the plaintiffs presented circumstantial evidence that Umpqua must have known PFI was using investor money improperly. —Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025

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)

Rhymes for testimony

• abalone
• acrimony
• alimony
• antimony
• ceremony
• chalcedony
• cicerone
• cosmogony
• eurozone
• lithopone
• macaroni
• matrimony

Kids Definition

testimony

noun

tes·​ti·​mo·​ny ˈtes-tə-ˌmō-nē 

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 

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

ˌtes-tə-ˈmō-nē-əl 

adjective

testimonially adverb

Etymology

Latin testimonium, from testis witness