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 WebGraham Kates, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
In Iran’s capital, Tehran, witnesses saw long lines at gas stations early Sunday as people appeared worried about what may come next.
—Joseph Federman, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
In addition to Cohen and Daniels, witnesses may include the former White House communications director Hope Hicks, the former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, and other Trumpworld figures.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
The sheriff’s office noted the two individuals who knew of the confession were independent witnesses who did not know each other and had not come forward earlier out of fear for their safety as Williams had threatened them.
—Mallika Kallingal, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Trump is required to attend this time Trump has come to New York City on several occasions to listen to jury selection and witness testimony in his most recent cases.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 13 Apr. 2024
Police were first notified of the shootings by a witness claiming to have heard gunshots and a sedan fleeing the scene.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2024
During this time, Anderson reported an address in Sister Bay but eventually changed it back to Oconomowoc.
2019 battery in Milwaukee
In September 2019, Anderson was arguing with a woman on the 2300 block of West Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee when a witness tried to intervene.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
The defense tried to raise doubts about the charges by focusing on the government’s star witness: the former owner of Palm Beach School of Nursing, Johanah Napoleon.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Dad had witnessed the wonder of Woods at Pebble Beach.
—Alan Blinder Doug Mills, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
The industry at large is witnessing a trend towards such localized strategies, balancing global operational capabilities with nuanced local knowledge.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Taking place in a spartan courtroom no larger than the size of a basketball court, the trial will be witnessed in person by approximately 60 reporters.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Staff at Pleasant Valley State Prison witnessed another inmate stab Flores at around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the recreation yard, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) told The Associated Press.
—Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
Millions of Americans traveled to witness the event, which had a narrow ‘path of totality’ corridor of 70 miles stretching from Oregon to South Carolina.
—Levi Mandel, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Apr. 2024
Monday’s eclipse was a rare, momentous occasion that brought thousands outside, some venturing around the country to witness the event.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
This convergence, a rare occurrence last witnessed in 1803, is poised to paint the landscape with the buzzing symphony of billions — maybe even trillions — of winged insects engaged in their raucous mating rituals.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Noun
Cohen, who in 2018 entered a guilty plea in a related federal case, is the key witness against Trump.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
In Iran’s capital, Tehran, witnesses saw long lines at gas stations early Sunday as people appeared worried about what may come next.
—Joseph Federman, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
In addition to Cohen and Daniels, witnesses may include the former White House communications director Hope Hicks, the former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, and other Trumpworld figures.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
The sheriff’s office noted the two individuals who knew of the confession were independent witnesses who did not know each other and had not come forward earlier out of fear for their safety as Williams had threatened them.
—Mallika Kallingal, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Trump is required to attend this time Trump has come to New York City on several occasions to listen to jury selection and witness testimony in his most recent cases.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 13 Apr. 2024
Police were first notified of the shootings by a witness claiming to have heard gunshots and a sedan fleeing the scene.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2024
During this time, Anderson reported an address in Sister Bay but eventually changed it back to Oconomowoc.
2019 battery in Milwaukee
In September 2019, Anderson was arguing with a woman on the 2300 block of West Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee when a witness tried to intervene.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
The defense tried to raise doubts about the charges by focusing on the government’s star witness: the former owner of Palm Beach School of Nursing, Johanah Napoleon.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
In the spot, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool witnessed a robbery in progress, and went into a phone booth to change into his costume.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Dad had witnessed the wonder of Woods at Pebble Beach.
—Alan Blinder Doug Mills, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
The industry at large is witnessing a trend towards such localized strategies, balancing global operational capabilities with nuanced local knowledge.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Taking place in a spartan courtroom no larger than the size of a basketball court, the trial will be witnessed in person by approximately 60 reporters.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Staff at Pleasant Valley State Prison witnessed another inmate stab Flores at around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the recreation yard, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) told The Associated Press.
—Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
Millions of Americans traveled to witness the event, which had a narrow ‘path of totality’ corridor of 70 miles stretching from Oregon to South Carolina.
—Levi Mandel, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Apr. 2024
Monday’s eclipse was a rare, momentous occasion that brought thousands outside, some venturing around the country to witness the event.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
This convergence, a rare occurrence last witnessed in 1803, is poised to paint the landscape with the buzzing symphony of billions — maybe even trillions — of winged insects engaged in their raucous mating rituals.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'witness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near witness
Cite this Entry
“Witness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witness. Accessed 19 Apr. 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
: something serving as evidence or proof : sign
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
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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