Meaning of witness In English

• 0 a person who sees an event happening, especially a crime or an accident:

  • Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward.

  • According to (eye) witnesses, the robbery was carried out by two teenage boys.

  • She was witness to the tragic event.

  • He signed the treaty in the presence of two witnesses.

  • They were married a year after they first met, with two friends acting as witnesses.

• 1 a person in a law court who says what they know about a legal case or a particular person:

  • Ten witnesses are expected to testify at the trial today.

  • The key witness for the prosecution was offered police protection after she received death threats.

  • A psychiatrist was called as an expert witness for the defence.

• 2 to see something happen, especially an accident or crime:

  • Did anyone witness the attack?

  • They were staying in the capital at the time of the riots and witnessed several street battles.

  • [ + -ing verb ] He arrived home just in time to witness his brother being taken away by the police.

  • Her will was witnessed by two colleagues.

• 3 When a place or period witnesses a particular event, the event happens in that place or during that period:

  • This university has witnessed quite a few changes over the years.

  • Those years witnessed momentous changes throughout Europe.

• 4 to show or give proof of something:

  • This year's charity ball was the most successful one ever, as witnessed by the number of tickets sold.

  • The programme aroused strong feelings - witness the number of letters received.

• 5 a person who sees an event happening, esp. a crime or an accident:

  • [ C ] According to witnesses, the car used in the robbery was a green van with Pennsylvania license plates.

  • [ U ] She was witness to the tragic event.

  • [ C ] The will has to be signed by two witnesses.

• 6 a person in a law court who promises to tell the truth and answers questions about something that was seen or is known:

  • defense/prosecution witnesses

  • Five witnesses are expected to testify at the trial today.

• 7 to see something happen:

  • We were there at the time and witnessed the accident.

  • The university has witnessed (= experienced) quite a few changes over the years.

  • The program aroused strong feelings, as witnessed by the number of letters the station received.

  • Rock music is becoming a health problem – witness the loss of hearing (= for proof, look at the loss of hearing) in some of our youth.

• 8 someone who gives information in a court of law about a particular person or event, usually when there has been a crime or an accident:

  • witness for the defence/prosecution The key witness for the prosecution was given police protection.

  • act as/appear as/be called as a witness Doctors confirmed that he was not fit to be called as a witness in the trial.

  • The police are appealing for witnesses.

  • a credible/material witness

  • a witness account/statement

• 9 someone who signs an official document to prove that an event has happened or that someone is who they say they are:

  • He signed the treaty in the presence of six witnesses.

• 10 to see something happen, especially an accident or a crime:

  • The police want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.

  • witness an attack/crime

• 11 to sign your name on an official document to prove that an event has happened or that someone is who they say they are:

  • witness an agreement/contract/signature She asked a colleague to witness the contract.

• 12 to experience something happening:

  • India witnessed significant jumps in its growth rates as it opened up its economy to international trade.