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
Many of the state bills to ease residency requirements have been based on model legislation from the Cicero Institute, a conservative think tank that sent representatives to testify to legislatures after proposing such programs in 2020.
—
Arielle Zionts, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
The appeals court noted in its ruling that women had been allowed to testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2025
The committee, headed by Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, is investigating sanctuary cities, of which Boston is one.
Also scheduled to testify are New York Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
All four mayors scheduled to testify have at times vigorously defended immigrants and decried attempts to deport them, but their circumstances differ considerably.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for testify
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Arielle Zionts, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
The appeals court noted in its ruling that women had been allowed to testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2025
The committee, headed by Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, is investigating sanctuary cities, of which Boston is one.
Also scheduled to testify are New York Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
All four mayors scheduled to testify have at times vigorously defended immigrants and decried attempts to deport them, but their circumstances differ considerably.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for testify
Articles Related to testify
Cite this Entry
“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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
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