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testament

noun
tes·​ta·​ment | \ ˈte-stÉ™-mÉ™nt How to pronounce testament (audio) \

Definition of testament

1a : a tangible proof or tribute
b : an expression of conviction : creed
2a : an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death
b : will
3a capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible
b archaic : a covenant between God and the human race
Other Words from testament Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about testament

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Other Words from testament

testamentary \ ËŒte-​stÉ™-​ˈmen-​tÉ™-​rÄ“ How to pronounce testamentary (audio) , -​ˈmen-​trÄ“ \ adjective

Examples of testament in a Sentence

The success of the album, which is only available online, is a testament to the power of the Internet. a person's last will and testament

Recent Examples on the Web

 Troubles aside, the riders Sunday were a testament to the Red Line's appeal. — Kellie Hwang, Indianapolis Star, "Packed buses but also some scrapes and smoke for Red Line's first day," 1 Sep. 2019 Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, the chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, said the lack of a challenger is a testament to the behavior of the assemblyman since switching parties. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Republicans face uphill battle in unseating newly Democratic Assemblyman Brian Maienschein," 31 Aug. 2019 The popularity of visual illusions is testament to this phenomenon. — Anil K. Seth, Scientific American, "The Neuroscience of Reality," 27 Aug. 2019 The fact that the above quote could apply to both Guardiola and Mourinho, the two greatest (and greatly contrasting) coaches of this decade, is a testament to this feat. — SI.com, "Rinus Michels: The Most Influential Manager There Ever Was & His Total Football Legacy," 14 Aug. 2019 For the Chos, the doughnut shop was a testament to their survival in America. — Dallas News, "How the young owner of Frisco's Detour Doughnuts learned the business from her Korean parents," 14 Aug. 2019 The resulting exhibition is a testament to the professional skill of the curators. — oregonlive.com, "Multimedia art exhibit ‘Autopoets’ tackles themes of protest, privacy," 13 Aug. 2019 As summer hits its stride, the setting at Cherry Lake is a testament to lakes in national forest across the Sierra, Cascade and Shasta-Siskiyou ranges. — Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Cherry Lake a testament to NorCal lakes," 8 Aug. 2019 That's a testament to the staying power of her design aesthetic. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "With a Glorious New Exhibition, Designer Vera Neumann Gets Her Due," 5 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'testament.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of testament

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

History and Etymology for testament

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testamentum covenant with God, holy scripture, from Latin, last will, from testari to be a witness, call to witness, make a will, from testis witness; akin to Latin tres three & to Latin stare to stand; from the witness's standing by as a third party in a litigation — more at three, stand

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More Definitions for testament

testament

noun
How to pronounce testament (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of testament

: proof or evidence that something exists or is true
law : the legal instructions in which you say who should receive your property, possessions, etc., after you die

See the full definition for testament in the English Language Learners Dictionary

testament

noun
tes·​ta·​ment | \ ˈte-stÉ™-mÉ™nt How to pronounce testament (audio) \

Kids Definition of testament

1 : either of two main parts ( Old Testament and New Testament ) of the Bible
2 : will entry 2 sense 4

testament

noun
tes·​ta·​ment | \ ˈtes-tÉ™-mÉ™nt How to pronounce testament (audio) \

Legal Definition of testament

1 : an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death a testament of property
2 : will

Note: A testament was formerly concerned specifically with personal property, as in the phrase last will and testament. Now a will covers both personal and real property and the terms will and testament are generally synonymous, but the phrase lives on.

Other Words from testament

testamentary \ ËŒtes-​tÉ™-​ˈmen-​tÉ™-​rÄ“ How to pronounce testamentary (audio) \ adjective

History and Etymology for testament

Latin testamentum, from testari to call as a witness, make a will, from testis witness

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