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
5
a
: 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
Pilot6
capitalized
: a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses
witnessed; witnessing; witnesses
1
: to testify to : attest
2
: to act as legal witness of
3
: to furnish proof of : betoken
4
a
: 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
Charlton Laird5
: to constitute the scene or time of
structures … which this striking Dorset hilltop once witnessed—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
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
Billy GrahamSynonyms
Examples of witness in a Sentence
Noun
The defense called its first witness to the stand.
a witness for the defense
His aunt and uncle were witnesses at his baptism.
There must be two witnesses present when she signs the document.
Verb
Several people witnessed the accident.
We are witnessing a historic moment.
He witnessed the signing of her will.
Recent Examples on the Web
Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
The flames reach up over 40 feet and were so high above the bridge some witnesses thought a vehicle was on fire on the roadway.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Across Greenland, locals are witnessing first-hand the effects of global warming.
—Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for witness 
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Noun
Police identified the man as the suspect based on witness accounts and security camera footage.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
The flames reach up over 40 feet and were so high above the bridge some witnesses thought a vehicle was on fire on the roadway.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
According to Smith, officers responded to shots fired around 1 a.m. Friday in the area of Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue before police witnessed a second shooting about a block away,
A total of nine people were hit by gunfire, in which two were pronounced dead, according to police.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Across Greenland, locals are witnessing first-hand the effects of global warming.
—Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for witness
Dictionary Entries Near witness
Cite this Entry
“Witness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witness. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
witness
1 of 2 noun
wit·ness
ˈwit-nəs 
1
: testimony sense 1
bear false witness
2
: one who gives evidence especially before a court of law
3
a
: one present at an action (as a wedding) who can testify to its having taken place
b
: one who has personal knowledge or experience of something
4
a
: something serving as evidence or proof : sign
b
: public affirmation of usually religious conviction
witness
2 of 2 verb1
: to give testimony to : testify
2
: to act as legal witness of
witness a document
3
: to be or give proof of
their actions witness their guilt
4
: to have personal knowledge of : see for oneself
had witnessed the accident
5
: to publicly assert one's religious convictions
Legal Definition
witness
1 of 3 noun
wit·ness
1
a
: attestation of a fact or event
in witness whereof the parties have executed this release
b
: evidence (as of the authenticity of a conveyance by deed) furnished by signature, oath, or seal
2
: one who gives evidence regarding matters of fact under inquiry
specifically
: one who testifies or is legally qualified to testify in a case or to give evidence before a judicial tribunal or similar inquiry
a witness before a congressional committee
no person…shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself —U.S. Constitution amend. V
compare affiant, deponent
U.S. Constitution amend. V
—
adverse witness
: a witness who is called by or associated with an opposing party or who by statement, conduct, or other evidence (as of relationship) shows bias against or is injurious to the case of the party by whom the witness is called
sought to have his witness declared an adverse witness subject to impeachment
called also hostile witness
see also leading question at question sense 1
—
alibi witness
: a witness upon whom a criminal defendant relies in establishing an alibi
—
character witness
: a witness who testifies as to the character or reputation especially of a criminal defendant : a witness who gives character evidence
—
expert witness
: a witness (as a medical specialist) who by virtue of special knowledge, skill, training, or experience is qualified to provide testimony to aid the factfinder in matters that exceed the common knowledge of ordinary people
—
hostile witness
: adverse witness in this entry
—
lay witness
: a witness who is not an expert witness
—
material witness
: a witness whose testimony is necessary for trial and whose presence may sometimes be secured by the state by subpoena, custody, or recognizance
—
prosecuting witness
: a witness (as the victim of a crime) whose own allegations initiate the prosecution of the defendant
—
qualified witness
: a witness who has sufficient understanding of a record-keeping system to provide testimony that forms the proper foundation for admission of evidence under the business records exception to the hearsay rule
—
rebuttal witness
: a witness called upon to rebut evidence already presented
3
: one who is called on to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its occurrence
specifically
: one who sees the execution of an instrument and signs it to confirm its authenticity
a witness to a will
4
: eyewitness
a witness to an assault
witness
2 of 3 transitive verb1
: to furnish evidence or proof of
2
: to act as witness of: as
a
: to see the execution of (an instrument) and sign for the purpose of establishing authenticity
witness a will
b
: to be formally present as a witness of (as a transaction or the execution of a convict)
3
a
: to see or experience directly
b
: to take note of
: to bear witness : give evidence
witness
3 of 3 adjective
: being an object or location used to ascertain a precise boundary point especially on a corner of a tract when marking that point itself is impracticable or impossible
a witness tree
a witness corner
Etymology
Noun
Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from wit mind, sense, knowledge
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