English dictionary
witness
nounPronunciation
/ˈwɪtnəs/
/ˈwɪtnəs/
Audio pronunciation
Parts of speech
Definitions
noun
- Attestation of a fact or event; testimony.
- One who sees or has personal knowledge of something.
- Someone called to give evidence in a court.
- One who is called upon to witness an event or action, such as a wedding or the signing of a document.
- Something that serves as evidence; a sign or token.
verb
- To furnish proof of, to show.
- To take as evidence.
- To see or gain knowledge of through experience.
- (construed with to or for) To present personal religious testimony; to preach at (someone) or on behalf of.
- To see the execution of (a legal instrument), and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity.
Example sentences
She can bear witness, since she was there at the time.
As a witness to the event, I can confirm that he really said that.
The witness for the prosecution did not seem very credible.
The bridesmaid and best man at a wedding typically serve as the witnesses.
1667: round he throws his baleful eyes / That witness'd huge affliction and dismay — John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 1 ll. 56-7
He witnessed the accident.
to witness a bond or a deed