witness

noun

UK /ˈwɪtnəs/

Word Forms

singular	witness
plural	witnesses

1
countable someone who sees a crime, accident, or other event happen
Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots.
witness to:
Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact the police.
appeal for witnesses:
Detectives are appealing for witnesses.
Synonyms and related words
People who watch or see something
observer
witness
eyewitness
Synonyms and related words
The jury, accused, witnesses and defendant
the accused
aggrieved
aggrieved party
1. 1a
  someone who tells a court what they know about a crime
  More than twenty witnesses will be called.
  an expert witness for the defence/prosecution
  Synonyms and related words
  The jury, accused, witnesses and defendant
  the accused
  aggrieved
  aggrieved party
2
countable someone who watches you sign an official document and then signs it to state that they have watched you
Synonyms and related words
People who watch or see something
observer
witness
eyewitness
1. 2a
  someone who is with you when you get married and who signs the official document that you sign
  Synonyms and related words
  Engagements and weddings
  a/the big day
  bachelor party
  banns
3
countable someone who speaks about their strong Christian beliefs
Synonyms and related words
Christian churches and religious groups and their members
acolyte
Amish
Anglican
1. 3a
  countable/uncountable a public statement that someone makes about their strong Christian beliefs
  Synonyms and related words
  Christian ceremonies, services, prayers and practices
  amen
  anthem
  baptise

phrases

be witness to something

bear witness to something

witness

noun

US /ˈwɪtnəs/

Word Forms

singular	witness
plural	witnesses

1
countable someone who sees a crime, accident, or other event happen
Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots.
witness to:
Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact the police.
Synonyms and related words
People who watch or see something
observer
witness
eyewitness
Synonyms and related words
The jury, accused, witnesses and defendant
the accused
aggrieved
aggrieved party
1. 1a
  someone who tells a court what they know about a crime
  More than twenty witnesses will be called.
  an expert witness for the defense/prosecution
  Synonyms and related words
  The jury, accused, witnesses and defendant
  the accused
  aggrieved
  aggrieved party
2
countable someone who watches you sign an official document and then signs it to state that they have watched you
Synonyms and related words
People who watch or see something
observer
witness
eyewitness
3
countable someone who speaks about their strong Christian beliefs
Synonyms and related words
Christian churches and religious groups and their members
acolyte
Amish
Anglican
1. 3a
  countable/uncountable a public statement that someone makes about their strong Christian beliefs
  Synonyms and related words
  Christian ceremonies, services, prayers and practices
  amen
  anthem
  baptise

phrases

be witness to something

bear witness to something

witness

verb

UK /ˈwɪtnəs/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	witness
he/she/it	witnesses
present participle	witnessing
past tense	witnessed
past participle	witnessed

1
transitive to see something happen, for example a crime or an accident
Several journalists witnessed the incident in which eight people were injured.
Ambulance crews witness scenes like these every day.
Synonyms and related words
To see or not see someone or something
see
make out
spot
1. 1a
  to be present when something important happens
  What we are witnessing is a party running out of ideas.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take part, or to become involved
  join in
  participate
  involve
2. 1b
  used for saying that something happened at a particular time or in a particular place
  The 1980s witnessed enormous growth in the financial sector.
  Synonyms and related words
  To be in a particular position or place
  occupy
  set
  exist
2
transitive to watch someone sign an official document, and then sign it yourself to state that you have watched them
Could you witness my signature on this visa application?
Synonyms and related words
To write your name on something
sign
endorse
witness
3
intransitive to tell people about your strong Christian beliefs
Synonyms and related words
Christian ceremonies, services, prayers and practices
amen
anthem
baptise
4
transitive used before you give an example that proves what you have just said
He was as much a journalist as a storyteller: witness the fact that many of his concerns are still relevant today.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of explaining or clarifying
after all
as
as a matter of fact

phrases

be witnessed by something

phrasal verbs

witness to

witness

verb

US /ˈwɪtnəs/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	witness
he/she/it	witnesses
present participle	witnessing
past tense	witnessed
past participle	witnessed

1
transitive to see something happen, for example a crime or an accident
Several journalists witnessed the incident in which eight people were injured.
Ambulance crews witness scenes like these every day.
Synonyms and related words
To see or not see someone or something
see
make out
spot
1. 1a
  to be present when something important happens
  What we are witnessing is a party running out of ideas.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take part, or to become involved
  join in
  participate
  involve
2. 1b
  used for saying that something happened at a particular time or in a particular place
  The 1980s witnessed enormous growth in the financial sector.
  Synonyms and related words
  To be in a particular position or place
  occupy
  set
  exist
2
transitive to watch someone sign an official document, and then sign it yourself to state that you have watched them
Could you witness my signature on this visa application?
Synonyms and related words
To write your name on something
sign
endorse
witness
3
intransitive to tell people about your strong Christian beliefs
Synonyms and related words
Christian ceremonies, services, prayers and practices
amen
anthem
baptise
4
transitive used before you give an example that proves what you have just said
He was as much a journalist as a storyteller: witness the fact that many of his concerns are still relevant today.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of explaining or clarifying
after all
as
as a matter of fact

phrases

be witnessed by something

phrasal verbs

witness to

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