Witness: meaning, definitions and examples

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witness

 

[ หˆwษชtnษ™s ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

legal term

A person who sees an event take place, especially a crime or accident, and can provide testimony in court.

Synonyms

observer, onlooker, spectator

Examples of usage

  • The witness identified the suspect in a lineup.
  • The witness was called to testify during the trial.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To see (an event, typically a crime or accident) take place.

Synonyms

observe, see, watch

Examples of usage

  • She witnessed the car crash from across the street.
  • He witnessed the argument between his neighbors.

Translations

Translations of the word "witness" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น testemunha

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เคตเคพเคน

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Zeuge

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ saksi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฒั–ะดะพะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›wiadek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่จผไบบ (shลnin)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tรฉmoin

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ testigo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tanฤฑk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฆ์ธ (jeung-in)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุดุงู‡ุฏ (shaahid)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ svฤ›dek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ svedok

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ง่ฏไบบ (jiร nzhรจngrรฉn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ priฤa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vitni

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบัƒำ™ะณะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒฌแƒ›แƒ” (motsme)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸahid

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ testigo

Word origin

The word 'witness' originated from the Old English 'witeness', which was derived from 'witan' meaning 'to know'. The term has roots in Old Norse and Proto-Germanic languages as well. Over time, 'witness' evolved to encompass the concept of seeing an event and providing testimony. In legal contexts, a witness plays a crucial role in providing firsthand accounts of events for the administration of justice.

See also: outwit, unwittingly, wit, witticism, wittily, wittiness, witty.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,688, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.