testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈte-stə-ˌfī 
testified; testifying
1
: to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact (as in a court)
2
a
: to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief : bear witness
b
: to serve as evidence or proof
3
: to express a personal conviction
2
: to declare under oath before a tribunal or officially constituted public body
3
Examples of testify in a Sentence
She refused to testify about who had given her the information.
She testified before Congress today.
He agreed to testify against his drug dealer.
He testified that he'd seen two people leave the building on the night of the murder.
These statistics testify that the program is working.
Several people testified during the revival meeting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Last year, Honda and Toyota, who make more vehicles than any other carmaker in the United States, testified in Congress that their research and dealers say consumers are not ready yet.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
One of the couple's other children, daughter Emily, testified that her mother had another affair in 2009 and her parents' relationship was under tremendous stress, according to FOX 5.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Most recently, in the bankruptcy proceedings for Silvergate Bank, an executive testified that the bank shut down because regulators didn't offer it a path forward.
—Brady Dale, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Then Ortiz and Odin’s mother testify, and court is adjourned for the day.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for testify 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
One of the couple's other children, daughter Emily, testified that her mother had another affair in 2009 and her parents' relationship was under tremendous stress, according to FOX 5.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Most recently, in the bankruptcy proceedings for Silvergate Bank, an executive testified that the bank shut down because regulators didn't offer it a path forward.
—Brady Dale, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Then Ortiz and Odin’s mother testify, and court is adjourned for the day.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for testify
Articles Related to testify
Dictionary Entries Near testify
Cite this Entry
“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈtes-tə-ˌfī
testified; testifying
1
a
: to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief
could testify to the student's devotion to her studies
b
: to make a formal statement of what one swears is true
testified in court
2
: to give outward proof : serve as a sign of
yawns testifying to fatigue
Legal Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy
ˈtes-tə-ˌfī
testified; testifying
: to make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation for the purpose of establishing a fact : give testimony
: to declare in testimony
testifier
noun
Etymology
Latin testificari, from testis witness
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share