witness

//ˈwɪtnəs//
B2Frequency Level 7Neutral
Visual representation of witness

Noun

witnessSingular
witnessesPlural
1

A person who sees an event happen, especially a crime or accident.

The police are looking for witnesses to the accident.

2

A person who gives testimony in a court of law about what they have seen or know.

The witness testified about what she saw on the night of the crime.

3

A person who is present at the signing of a document and signs it themselves to confirm this.

You need two witnesses to sign the contract.

4

Evidence or proof of something.

The ancient ruins bear witness to a once great civilization.

Verb

witnessPresent tense
witnessedPast tense
witnessedPast participle
witnessingPresent participle
witnessesThird-person singular
1

To see an event happen, especially a crime or accident.

Several people witnessed the accident at the intersection.

2

To be present at an event or the signing of a document and sign to confirm this.

Two colleagues witnessed the signing of the contract.

3

To be the place, period, or setting in which an event takes place.

This city has witnessed many important historical events.

4

To give testimony or evidence about something.

She witnessed against the defendant in court.

witness - Deep Vocabulary