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witness
[ wit-nis ]
verb (used with object)
- to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception:
to witness an accident.
- to be present at (an occurrence) as a formal witness, spectator, bystander, etc.:
She witnessed our wedding.
- to bear witness to; testify to; give or afford evidence of.
- to attest by one's signature:
He witnessed her will.
verb (used without object)
- to bear witness; testify; give or afford evidence.
noun
- an individual who, being present, personally sees or perceives a thing; a beholder, spectator, or eyewitness.
- a person or thing that affords evidence.
- a person who gives testimony, as in a court of law.
- a person who signs a document attesting the genuineness of its execution.
- testimony or evidence:
to bear witness to her suffering.
Synonyms: substantiation, confirmation, proof
- (initial capital letter) a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
witness
/ ˈwɪtnɪs /
noun
- a person who has seen or can give first-hand evidence of some event
- a person or thing giving or serving as evidence
- a person who testifies, esp in a court of law, to events or facts within his own knowledge
- a person who attests to the genuineness of a document, signature, etc, by adding his own signature
- bear witnessbear witness
- to give written or oral testimony
- to be evidence or proof of testimonial
verb
- tr to see, be present at, or know at first hand
- to give or serve as evidence (of)
- tr to be the scene or setting of
this field has witnessed a battle
- intr to testify, esp in a court of law, to events within a person's own knowledge
- tr to attest to the genuineness of (a document, signature, etc) by adding one's own signature
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Derived Forms
- ˈwitnesser, noun
- ˈwitnessable, adjective
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Other Words From
- wit·ness·a·ble adjective
- wit·ness·er noun
- pre·wit·ness noun verb (used with object)
- self-wit·ness noun
- self-wit·nessed adjective
- well-wit·nessed adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of witness1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
Since 2011, legal scholars, political scientists and mathematicians conducting gerrymandering research have served as expert witnesses in more than 250 state and federal court cases regarding redistricting.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said Monday that she’s suing to enforce seven subpoenas seeking thousands of documents and testimony from multiple witnesses.
Though the review happened years ago, it’s newly relevant in light of a November ballot measure that would give the board more power to access witnesses and documents.
When the community review board – then known as the Citizens Review Board – investigated the shooting, it reviewed that security camera footage, as well as witness statements, police reports, photos from the scene, SDPD policies and other materials.
Our goal was to be the first confirmed humans to witness a total solar eclipse from a peak above 20,000 feet.
One witness said the gunfire began after a traffic collision, which drew the attention of a nearby police officer.
The mother, Emily Kruse, was charged with obstructing justice and intimidating a witness.
Jay, the main witness for the state, is leading a relatively normal life, though that probably has all changed with Serial.
There is no perfect juror, just as there is no such thing as a perfect witness.
“The senior people were too shocked to speak,” said a witness.
At his desk sat his secretary, who had been a witness of the interview, lost in wonder almost as great as the Seneschal's own.
And now everybody turned out with a feeling of intense relief to witness the rejoicings on the village green.
The endless miles of railways, the vast apparatus of the factories, the soaring structures of the cities bear easy witness to it.
In a thousand trials the cruel witness of Moses has sent innocent women to a painful death.
Seven years from this present time will witness the Centenary of the railway system.
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More About Witness
What does witness mean?
A witness is someone who was present at or perceives an incident, event, or occurrence, as in Jamal was a witness to the fact that I completed all my homework.
People who witness something typically do so through seeing, although they can also witness a smell or sound. In order to witness an event, one must simply be present at the time the event happened, even if the witness was not directly involved.
To witness something is to see, hear, sense, or know something, as in I witnessed our dog running out the door, but I didn’t see where she went.
To witness is also to testify or give evidence, especially in a court of law.
Example: The key witness in the theft case was a local shop owner.
Where does witness come from?
The first records of the term witness come from before 950. It comes from the Old English term witnes, meaning “knowledge” or “understanding.” One’s wit is their perception and expression of something, so witness means “to have wit about something.”
Witnesses are a key part of the legal system. Both sides can select witnesses to give their accounts of a case, and both sides get to question the witnesses about their statements. There are several types of witnesses. For example, an expert witness is someone who is educated in an area that is important to a case and can give a professional opinion, while a character witness is someone who is familiar with the litigant and can help build an image of their character.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to witness?
- witnessable (adjective)
- witnesser (noun)
- prewitness (noun, verb)
- self-witness (noun)
- well-witnessed (adjective)
What are some synonyms for witness?
What are some words that share a root or word element with witness?
What are some words that often get used in discussing witness?
How is witness used in real life?
Witness as a noun is almost always used in a legal context and as a verb can be used in terms of both legal issues and common occurrences.
Add me on snapchat & check out my stories, witness the madness first hand everyday. Username: lifeofnash
— Nash Grier (@Nashgrier) January 26, 2015
Let’s stay together ’til we’re ghosts. I want to witness love, I’ve never seen it close.
— Austin Mahone (@AustinMahone) July 20, 2014
In mea culpa, #Manafort Judge told jury he was wrong in scolding prosecutors for having expert witness in court to hear other witness testimony. Prosecutors had reminded him he had actually granted approval. "This robe doesn't make me anything other than human," he said
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) August 9, 2018
Try using witness!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for witness?
A. see
B. watch
C. hide
D. observe
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