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Law vocabulary · Evidence & Proof

Testimony

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈtestɪməni/nounCore term

In law, testimony means: A formal statement that a witness makes in court or in writing, usually under oath, about facts they know.

In Turkish: tanık beyanı, ifade, tanıklık

How it is used

Common in American English: 'give testimony', 'expert testimony', 'sworn testimony'. British lawyers more often say 'evidence' or 'witness evidence'. The verb is 'testify'.

Example sentences

  1. Her testimony was consistent with the emails we found.

  2. The jury did not find the expert's testimony convincing.

Common collocations

  • give testimony
  • expert testimony
  • sworn testimony
  • conflicting testimony
  • witnessA person who tells a court what they saw, heard or know about a case; also someone who watches a document being signed and then signs it too.
  • evidenceDocuments, objects, statements and other information that a court uses to decide which facts are true.
  • affidavitA written statement of facts that a person signs and swears or affirms is true, usually in front of an authorised official, so that it can be used as evidence.
  • cross-examinationThe questioning of a witness by the lawyer for the other side, in order to test the witness's account and find weaknesses in it.

More terms: Evidence & Proof

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.