witness

/ˈwɪtnəs/
noun
  1. A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, and can describe what happened.
    • The police interviewed a witness who saw the car speed away.
    • She became a key witness in the trial after reporting what she saw.
    • There was no witness to the accident, so the cause remains unclear.
  2. A person who is present at an event and signs a document to confirm that it happened or that someone's signature is genuine.
    • The contract requires two witnesses to be valid.
    • We need a witness to sign the marriage certificate.
    • Her neighbor acted as a witness when she signed the will.
  3. Evidence or proof of something.
    • The ancient ruins stand as a witness to a once-great civilization.
    • The empty streets were a witness to the storm's power.
    • His scars are a witness to the hardships he endured.
verb
  1. To see an event happen, especially a crime or accident.
    • Several people witnessed the robbery from across the street.
    • Did anyone witness the car hitting the mailbox?
    • She witnessed a beautiful sunset from the mountaintop.
  2. To be present at an event and sign a document to confirm it or someone's signature.
    • The lawyer asked me to witness the will.
    • We need someone to witness the contract before it is official.
    • Two friends will witness the signing of the agreement.
  3. To be a time or place in which something happens.
    • This city has witnessed many historical events.
    • The 20th century witnessed incredible technological advances.
    • The stadium witnessed a record-breaking performance last night.
Synonyms
What does "witness" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean