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Law vocabulary · Evidence & Proof

Witness

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈwɪtnəs/nounCore term

In law, witness means: A 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.

In Turkish: tanık, şahit

How it is used

Used as a noun and as a verb ('witness a signature'). Witnesses are 'called', 'heard' and 'cross-examined'. A 'witness statement' is the written account prepared before a trial.

Example sentences

  1. We plan to call two witnesses who were at the meeting.

  2. His witness statement does not mention the phone call at all.

  3. The deed must be signed in the presence of a witness.

Common collocations

  • call a witness
  • witness statement
  • expert witness
  • key witness
  • witness a signature
  • evidenceDocuments, objects, statements and other information that a court uses to decide which facts are true.
  • testimonyA formal statement that a witness makes in court or in writing, usually under oath, about facts they know.
  • 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.
  • 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.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Evidence & Proof

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