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
Assistant director Halls, who made a plea deal for immunity with prosecutors, did some probation and testified at Gutierrez-Reed’s trial, is also on the prosecution’s witness list.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 July 2024
That’s what Jackson-Bolanos told the jury twice while testifying.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2024
The court ruled the judge in the New York County trial prejudiced Weinstein with improper rulings and by allowing women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
Weeks was supposed to testify against Marathon in the jury trial, but is now physically unable to do so.
—By Andrew R Chow/granbury, Texas, TIME, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for testify 
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 July 2024
That’s what Jackson-Bolanos told the jury twice while testifying.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2024
The court ruled the judge in the New York County trial prejudiced Weinstein with improper rulings and by allowing women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
Weeks was supposed to testify against Marathon in the jury trial, but is now physically unable to do so.
—By Andrew R Chow/granbury, Texas, TIME, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for testify
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'testify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 15 Jul. 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
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