Witness Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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The Britannica Dictionary witness 5 ENTRIES FOUND:

• witness (noun)
• witness (verb)
• witness stand (noun)
• Jehovah's Witness (noun)
• bear (verb)

1 witness /ˈwɪtnəs/ noun plural witnesses 1 witness /ˈwɪtnəs/ noun plural witnesses Britannica Dictionary definition of WITNESS 1 [count] a : a person who sees something (such as a crime) happen

• a murder witness

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + to

• He was a witness to a robbery.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also eyewitness b law : a person who makes a statement in a court about what he or she knows or has seen

• The defense/prosecution called its first witness to the stand.
• a witness for the defense/prosecution
• a character witness [=a person who can say whether someone is honest, has a good character, etc.]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [count] : a person who is present at an event (such as a wedding) and can say that it happened

• His aunt and uncle were witnesses at his baptism.
• There must be two witnesses present when she signs the document.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [noncount] US : a statement of a person's religious beliefs

• They gave witness to their faith. [=declared their belief in a god or religion]

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bear witness

1 : to show that something exists or is true — + to

• His success bears witness to the value of hard work.
• Rising ticket sales bear witness to the band's popularity. [=show that the band is popular]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 formal : to make a statement saying that you saw or know something

• She was accused of bearing false witness. [=saying that she saw something that she did not really see]

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be witness to

: to see (something) happen

• We have been witness to many changes in recent years. [=we have seen many changes in recent years]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 witness /ˈwɪtnəs/ verb witnesses; witnessed; witnessing 2 witness /ˈwɪtnəs/ verb witnesses; witnessed; witnessing Britannica Dictionary definition of WITNESS 1 [+ object] : to see (something) happen

• Several people witnessed the accident.
• We are witnessing a historic moment.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [+ object] law : to be present at (an event) in order to be able to say that it happened : to act as a legal witness of (something)

• He witnessed the signing of her will.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [+ object] : to be the time or place when (something) happens

• The past decade has witnessed many new advances in medical research. [=many new advances have occurred in the past decade]
• The industry is witnessing a gradual decline in sales. [=sales are declining in the industry]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [+ object] — used to say that something is an example of or is proof of something

• The economy is improving—witness the decrease in unemployment. [=the decrease in unemployment shows that the economy is improving]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [no object] US : to make a public statement about your religious beliefs

• a chance to witness for the Lord
• speakers witnessing to their faith [=stating what they believe]

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as witnessed by

: as shown by

• The event was a success, as witnessed by the high turnout. [=the high turnout shows that the event was a success]

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