testify

verb

tes·​ti·​fy ˈte-stə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
testified; testifying

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
a
: to bear witness to : attest
b
: to serve as evidence of : prove
2
: to declare under oath before a tribunal or officially constituted public body
3
archaic
a
: to make known (a personal conviction)
b
: to give evidence of : show
testifier noun

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
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.
During the course of the trial, Jeff Webb, the founder and CEO of Varsity Brands, the cheer corporate Goliath, testified on behalf of the plaintiffs that cheerleading was less a sport than a recreational hobby like chess. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Joshua Epps testified that he was called to question Diego Ibarra outside the apartment where the Ibarras lived. CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024 Waters was also asked to testify about the nonprofit in front of an N.C. House Committee. Zachery Eanes, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024 The witnesses followed the defense team's first two character witnesses who testified Monday, including Penny's older sister, Jackie. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for testify 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testifien, from Anglo-French testifier, from Latin testificari, from testis witness

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a

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

Cite this Entry

“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

testify

verb
tes·​ti·​fy ˈtes-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
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
testifier noun

Legal Definition

testify

verb
tes·​ti·​fy ˈtes-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
testified; testifying

intransitive verb

: to make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation for the purpose of establishing a fact : give testimony

transitive verb

: to declare in testimony
testifier noun
Etymology

Latin testificari, from testis witness

More from Merriam-Webster on testify

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