witness
noun [ C ]
LAW uk/ˈwɪtnəs/ ussomeone 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
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.
See also
expert witness
witness
verb [ T ]
uk/ˈwɪtnəs/ usto see something happen, especially an accident or a crime:
The police want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.
witness an attack/crime
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.
to experience something happening:
India witnessed significant jumps in its growth rates as it opened up its economy to international trade.