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
Sharon testified in the initial trial and was joined by her son Brent and Dennis’ daughter from a previous relationship, Amy, at Scott’s resentencing in December 2021.
—
Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024
Both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Economic Opportunity Act of that same year—a measure Johnson could claim as his own—testified to his liberal bona fides.
—Marc J. Selverstone / Made By History, TIME, 12 Aug. 2024
Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 9, 2024.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2024
Kennedy testified in court Tuesday to dispute the lawsuit.
—Allison Novelo, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for testify 
Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024
Both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Economic Opportunity Act of that same year—a measure Johnson could claim as his own—testified to his liberal bona fides.
—Marc J. Selverstone / Made By History, TIME, 12 Aug. 2024
Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 9, 2024.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2024
Kennedy testified in court Tuesday to dispute the lawsuit.
—Allison Novelo, CBS News, 9 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 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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