noun
witness
WIHT-nihs
noun
1
A person who sees an event happen and can describe it afterward.
"Several witnesses saw the car run the red light."
2
A person who gives evidence in a court of law.
"The defense called its first witness to the stand."
verb
1
To see something happen personally.
"She witnessed the accident from across the street."
"They witnessed history being made that day."
2
To watch someone sign a legal document and sign it yourself to confirm it was done properly.
"A neighbor witnessed the signing of the will."
How to Use Witness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who sees something happen, or the act of seeing it and confirming it happened.
Common pairings
eyewitness account
witness a crime
witness a signature
call a witness
Word Forms
witnessed past tense, witnesses plural, Witnesses plural, witnesses singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “witness”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Several _____ saw the car run the red light.
Etymology
From Old English gewitnes, built from wit ("knowledge") plus -ness.